When women look at men and notice that their teeth and gums aren't in the best condition, rarely do they associate their oral hygiene with anything other than bad breath and gingivitis. However, recent studies have demonstrated that periodontal disease, like gingivitis, can lead to heart disease which has been linked to erectile dysfunction (ED).
Dr. Fatih Orguz who works at the Department of Urology in Malatya, Turkey, was the lead researcher in a study that involved 80 men who were between the ages of 30 and 40 years old. More than 50 percent with erectile problems had severely inflamed gums.
Another analysis in 2005 as the Oral Infections and Vascular Disease Epidemiology Study, which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, concluded that higher levels of bacteria in the gums was connected to thicker carotoid arteries.
''This study supports the theory that vascular disease contributes to both ED and periodontal disease. So perhaps a more important way to consider this data is that men with ED and periodontal disease may need to be screened even closer for systemic vascular disease and heart disease," Dr. Parviz Kavoussi, reproductive urologist and andrologist at the Austin Center for Men’s Health in Texas, said in a statement to dailyRX News.
The possibility of ED is just one of the reasons that men should take care of their teeth and gums. In addition to brushing twice a day and flossing at night, that also means scheduling appointments with your family dentist.
If you live in the Raleigh area, you may want to consider visiting Dr. Thomas Cooke. His affordable dental care firm will not only give you advice on how to prevent periodontal disease, but will also help you identify whether you may be suffering from gingivitis.
