If you are the type of guy who doesn’t brush for days or whose idea of dental hygiene is munching on some breath mints, this article is for you. If you think losing your teeth or having horrible breath are the worst than can happen, you are greatly mistaken. Poor dental hygiene can lead to gum disease, a form of chronic inflammation that is linked to serious health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer.
But wait, there’s more! Recent research from the Journal of Clinical Periodontology has revealed that high levels of plaque and bleeding gums are a risk factor for poor sperm motility as well as reduced sperm count, decreasing the chances of falling pregnant and producing a child. To make matters worse, a clear correlation between chronic gum disease and erectile dysfunction was shown in a recent study in the Journal Of Human Reproductive Science.
“Evidence indicated a positive link in chronic periodontitis and erectile dysfunction” according to the findings. “It was also suggested that chronic periodontitis should be considered risk factors for erectile dysfunction and treatment of chronic periodontitis might be helpful in the improvement of erectile dysfunction. The importance of oral health should be given by dentist and physician as a preventive medicine for not only erectile dysfunction but also for more serious systemic diseases in the best interest of patient health.”
Men don’t naturally come to the table with a good hand regarding certain oral health facts, but there is plenty they can do to reduce their risk of dental health-related problems. Here are some tips on how to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
- Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes every session.
- Floss 1-2 times per day. Make sure you get the floss underneath the gums.
- Avoid inflammatory refined/processed carbohydrates.
- Eat foods daily that are seasonal, local, organic and high in omega-3s, Vitamin C, D, antioxidants and fibre.
- Visit your dental professional for check-ups and cleaning at least every 6 months.
Now, go ahead and brush and floss. Thank us later.