This is what a new study says about the connection of chronic gum diseases among men and erectile dysfunction.
A new review of existing studies has found out that erectile dysfunction is more common in men with chronic gum disease.
This is according to the report in the International Journal of Impotence Research where a study was conducted by authors where one of them is a doctor from The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in China.
In the said study, the reviewers sat down and analyzed data from five studies published for five years, between 2009 and 2014, including one which was conducted in a randomized controlled trial. The said studies covered 213,000 participants aged 20 to 80, in total.
Each of those studies has found erectile dysfunction was more common among men being treated for chronic periodontitis. This is particularly for those males younger than 40 and older than 59.
According to the published report, after accounting for diabetes, which can influence both gum disease and sexual function, erectile dysfunction was 2.28 times more common for men with periodontitis than for men without it.
In this report, the authors write that chronic bacterial infection of the gums, or periodontitis, is common and a major cause of tooth loss for adults. They said that this condition has been linked to a higher risk of men to have cardiovascular disease and general inflammation, which in turn have been tied stroke and hardening of the arteries.
Stroke and hardening of the arteries in the body are also connected with erectile dysfunction (ED).
“In our opinion, the actual biological mechanism of ED in periodontitis patients remain poorly understood,” said Dr. Zhigang Zhao, senior author of the study who is from The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University in China.
“It might still be too early to suggest that men with ED should have their teeth checked; and that men with chronic periodontitis should worry about their sexual function,” Zhao added. “However, it might be beneficial to inform patients with chronic periodontitis about its association with ED.”
The doctor said that since chronic periodontitis had been linked with several chronic disorders, it is sensible to recommend daily inter-dental cleaning to reduce dental plaque and gingival inflammation.
“Chronic periodontitis treatment can control or eliminate inflammation and may reduce the risk of ED,” Zhao said.