Brushing our teeth is one of the first daily activities we indulge in before officially starting our day.
However, over 1 billion adults in the world suffer from periodontitis or gum problems affecting their quality of life. Although it is not a life-threatening condition, ignoring this ailment might lead to some serious issues in the longer run.
Gum disease and risk of Erectile Dysfunction – What research says?
Recent research suggests that gum problems may have an association with Erectile Dysfunction (ED). It is one of the leading causes of infertility and depression in men. One study found that men in their thirties who suffer from severe gum disease are more like to suffer from erectile dysfunction. And the risk is increased three-fold.
Surprisingly that’s not the only research that has caught attention.
Research also revealed that people who report gum diseases are at an increased risk of developing cancer by 14 percent. Studies found they are 49 % more likely to develop kidney cancer, 59 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and 30 % higher risk of developing blood cancer.
Gum diseases have also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. And several studies have proved that cardiovascular diseases can contribute to an increased risk of erectile dysfunction.
Research blames it on gum disease-causing bacteria that can impair the release of nitric oxide which plays a crucial role in sexual arousal. Another study also reported that treating gum disease showed improvement in the signs of erectile dysfunction.
What is Erectile dysfunction?
Erectile dysfunction is a common medical issue affecting approximately 15% of men each year.
As the name suggests it is a condition in men which inhibits their power to attain or sustain a firm erection for the purpose of having satisfactory sexual intercourse.
The main reasons for this condition are the low testosterone level and lack of sex drive (libido). However, there is another reason which might cause this condition is the lack of an adequate amount of blood flow in the penis.
But how is Chronic Periodontal Disease related to Erectile dysfunction?
The relation between Chronic Periodontal Disease (CPD) and Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Chronic Periodontal Disease is a common inflammatory disorder that is caused due to infections induced by microorganisms in the oral cavity.
This condition not only causes bleeding gums, tooth hypersensitivity, and tooth loss but also, can influence the progression of cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc.
In another study in 2011, it was hypothesized that there is a definite correlation between CPD and ED. It was also observed that a severe case of ED might even lead to bone decay and tooth loss, worsening CPD. Even it was observed that the periodontal treatment actually benefitted the recovery of endothelial dysfunction.
The inflammation caused by CPD affects the endothelial tissues which are why the extraction of the affected tooth or teeth might improve the condition of ED. Further studies were conducted in order to properly investigate the association mechanism between the two diseases.
Gum disease and risk of getting Erectile dysfunction – Clinical trials
In further studies, experts have run multiple medical trials to understand the relationship between these diseases.
In the following, a few scientific inferences and observations have been discussed.
Erectile Dysfunction is related to psychological reasons and biochemical mediators. In this, the endothelium plays a vital role in synthesizing and secreting substances to maintain the vascular tone. Nitric Oxide is synthesized in this process which promotes the physiological process of Erectile Function. But impaired synthesis and release of Nitric oxide lead to Erectile Dysfunction. This deficiency of Nitric oxide has been notably found in male patients suffering from periodontitis further inferring the close association between Chronic Periodontal Disease and Erectile Dysfunction.
Another explanation could be stated by considering that both CPD and ED have mutual risk factors such as Cardiovascular Disease. CPD especially is involved in all stages of Cardiovascular Disease. The bacterial synthesis in Chronic Periodontal Disease leads to an increase in low-density lipoprotein. This increases the cholesterol level in the blood causing atherosclerosis or blockage in arteries due to fat accumulation.
The cavernous artery also gets affected due to atherosclerosis, which leads to a lack of blood flow in the penis. This leads to erectile dysfunction.
Clinical trials have proven that men with CPD are more likely to have ED than men with non-CPD. This is due to the systemic inflammation caused by the microorganisms inducing infection. As the inflammation spreads to the endothelium, the impairment of erectile function occurs.
Your Takeaway!
Periodontitis can be easily detected by oral examination. Patients with ED must keep this in mind while getting a dental examination. Patients often shy away from talking about ED. However, ED can be just a symptom of something major. Therefore, proper medical attention is required.
Quitting alcohol consumption and smoking can also be a viable preventive step against both periodontitis and ED.
