In a new study, researchers found men with gum disease have a higher risk of erectile dysfunction.
The gum disease is called periodontitis. It is inflammation of the gums and damage to the structures that support the teeth.
The research was conducted by researchers from the University of Granada (UGR), Spain.
Erectile dysfunction is the inability of a man to achieve an erection. It occurs due to physical or psychological factors or a combination of the two.
Previous studies have shown that if the gum disease is untreated, it can ultimately lead to tooth loss.
In the current study, the team examined how gum disease and erectile dysfunction were connected.
They examined 80 men who receive treatment from the local hospitals. They tested these men’s gum health, testosterone levels, blood sugar levels and biomarkers for erectile dysfunction.
The team found that 74% of patients with erectile dysfunction showed signs of gum disease. People with the most severe erectile dysfunction had the worst gum damage.
They also found people with gum disease were 2.28 times more likely to present erectile dysfunction than patients with healthy gums.
The researchers suggest that good tooth-brushing habits and oral hygiene may help prevent male sexual impotence.
The study is the first of its kind to be conducted on a European population.
The study is published in Journal of Clinical Periodontology.
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