Severe gum disease in men more than doubles their risk of suffering from erectile dysfunction, according to a new study. In the study more than half (53 per cent) of men had severe gum disease in the group with erectile dysfunction, compared to fewer than one in four (23 per cent) without.
The results, published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine1, also revealed men between 30-40 years old are most likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction if they have severe gum disease.
According to the National Institutes of Health2, erectile dysfunction, also known as impotence, is defined as the inability to attain and or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. It is a condition that affects one in ten men worldwide, and is more commonly experienced after the age of 40.
When people suffer from gum disease, bacteria from the mouth can get into their bloodstream, so it should therefore come as no surprise that this piece of research has linked vascular erectile dysfunction, another cardiac-related condition, with gum disease.
Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, hopes the increasing liberal attitudes towards sexual health problems will prompt men across the country to take steps and lower their risk.
Dr Carter said: “Sexual health problems, particularly for men, are no laughing matter. The link may seem frivolous, but the research clearly points to severe gum disease as a possible cause of erectile dysfunction.
“Not only does oral health become a problem, self-confidence, esteem and relationships could suffer too. To avoid it even becoming an issue, there are a number of things you can do to stop gum disease from developing.
“Removing food stuck in between your teeth close to gum lines is a really important step to preventing gum disease. Using interdental brushes or flossing is the best way of doing this. Brushing alone only cleans 60 per cent of the tooth’s surface, so this is an excellent way of keeping plaque – the cause of gum disease – at bay.
“Regular visits to the dentist will also give your dentist the best possible opportunity to monitor your oral health. If they feel it is deteriorating and plaque is building up, a simple scale and polish can put you on the right track, provided you keep up a good routine at home.
“The first sign of gum disease is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant. If you notice any of these over a period of time, it may be worth booking an appointment to see the dentist.”
—ENDS—
1. Oğuz, F., Eltas, A., Beytur, A., Akdemir, E., Uslu, M. Ö. and Güneş, A. (2013), Is There a Relationship Between Chronic Periodontitis and Erectile Dysfunction?. Journal of Sexual Medicine, 10: 838-843. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2012.02974.x
2. National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Panel on Impotence. Impotence. JAMA 1993; 270: 83-90.
Oral Health Foundation
The Oral Health Foundation is a charity that works to improve oral health by providing education, advice, and support to millions of people every year, changing lives for the better. Our mission is to support others in achieving a healthier life through better oral health. Our vision is to live in a world where everybody has a healthy mouth and is free of dental disease. Poor oral health can have a harmful and devastating effect on a person’s life – both for their physical health and mental wellbeing. We are determined to help more people achieve good oral health and have a better quality of life. Sadly, oral disease remains common, across the life course. We are taking the challenge to reduce the harm caused by poor oral health and the responsibility to create a healthier future for everybody. We do this because we believe that everybody deserves to have good oral health. To make sure this happens, by 2024, we will:
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• Work towards decreasing the prevalence of oral disease across communities.
• Increase the number of people accessing our help and information services.
• Diversify our range of resources to reach more communities.
• Successfully campaign for policies which help people achieve healthier lives.
• Generate new and nurture existing income streams that enable us to deliver our charitable objectives.
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• Running awareness campaigns like National Smile Month and Mouth Cancer Action Month.
• Giving anybody who needs it direct support through our Dental Helpline.
• Influencing policy on subjects like dental access, sugar, and tobacco.
• Providing consumer advice on oral health care products and working alongside manufacturers to make sure products do what they claim to do.
• Creating resources and information that communicates positive oral health messages.
• Working alongside others who share our passion for health and wellbeing.
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Tartar buildup is a serious problem that can result in bone decay and cause teeth to fall in extreme cases. It can’t be removed by regular brushing or flossing; it requires professional dental cleaning. Know more about dental cleaning at http://www.drbhalla.com/2012/09/04/common-issues-dental-flossing/
on April 2, 2013 at 11:32 am ManjtSingh BhallaTeeth decaying due to tartar buildup is scary to know which may end up in teeth fall. Bacteria may also complicate the other systems after entering into the blood stream. Not really wise to avoid. Tarter can’t be removed normally, a professional cleaning is required. Significant description of side effects is really valuable, especially for men.
on September 18, 2017 at 6:42 am Dr. Jaimin Patel