Curious connection between unhealthy teeth and functions of the penis

Men with erectile problems often have periodontitis
About three-quarters of the adult population suffers from periodontal disease. This chronic inflammation of the periodontium not only damages the teeth, but can also cause dangerous diseases. However, periodontal disease apparently also has an impact on sex life, as Taiwanese researchers have discovered.

Periodontitis can lead to serious illnesses
In Germany, around three out of four adults suffer from periodontitis. This chronic inflammation of the periodontium not only damages the teeth, but can also cause life-threatening illnesses according to scientific investigations. So the germs can get into the bloodstream via the inflammatory foci in the gum and cause in this way, among other things, diabetes, vascular calcification or a heart attack. And recently, US scientists have found that some women are at high risk of developing breast cancer through periodontitis.

Men should pay particular attention to good oral hygiene. Taiwanese researchers have found that many men suffer from erectile problems, including periodontitis. (Image: Photographee.eu/fotolia.com)

Effects on the sex life
In men, periodontal disease appears to affect sexual life. Taiwan researchers found in a study that male erectile problems often suffer from periodontitis. The scientists published their findings in the journal "Andrologia". Although men generally do not like talking about sexual dysfunction, the problem of impotence has spread more widely in recent years than one would expect, according to health experts. Erectile dysfunction in men is not uncommon. In medical circles impotence is called "erectile dysfunction". The most common causes are stress and mental suffering.

Men with erectile problems often have bad teeth
And apparently there is also a connection with male oral hygiene. Taiwanese researchers from Taipei Medical University and colleagues examined about 5,000 men of various ages with erectile dysfunction. They found that almost 80 percent of the subjects suffered from a bacterial infection in the mouth. According to the scientists, the inflammation can damage the endothelial cells. These cells ensure that the vessels are filled - even those in the erectile tissue. But if they are damaged, it can complicate or even prevent the blood flow to the penis. The result is erection problems. Accordingly, avoiding periodontitis could also provide protection against potency problems. (Ad)