Men risk erectile dysfunction if they don’t brush their TEETH twice a day, expert warns
Research found that blokes with poor oral hygiene tripled their risk of having erectile dysfunction
BLOKES who fail to brush their teeth twice a day are more likely to be a flop in bed, a study reveals.
Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, raising the risk of impotence almost three-fold.
More than one in five people suffer from the condition, which causes bleeding gums and bad breath.
It can also lead to tooth loss if left untreated.
Boffins from Jinan University, in China, analysed the teeth and sexual performance of 213,076 men.
They found fellas with gum disease were 2.85-times more likely to suffer erectile dysfunction.
Gum disease is thought to lower levels of the sex hormone testosterone and increase inflammation.
Like impotence, it is also linked to poorly functioning blood vessels.
Study leader Dr Xincai Zhou said: “Dental hygiene should be of concern to clinicians when managing patients with ED.”
Gum disease is caused by a build-up of plaque on the teeth.
The NHS website says: “Mild cases of gum disease can usually be treated by maintaining a good level of oral hygiene.
“This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly. You should also make sure you attend regular dental check-ups.”
Smokers, boozers, diabetics and people with high blood pressure are at increased risk of gum disease and impotence.
The findings are published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.
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