A dentist has revealed the concerning reason why bad oral hygiene could be linked to erectile dysfunction.
OK, hear me out on this one. You may be thinking how on Earth could a disease which occurs in your mouth be at all linked to what's going on downstairs.
Well I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but everything - and we mean pretty much everything - which goes on in the body is connected.
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Which includes unwanted bacteria hanging out in the mouth can lead to issues with getting it up.
How is gum disease linked to erectile dysfunction?
The research was recently discussed during an episode of the Diary of a CEO podcast, with dentist and researcher Dr Victoria Sampson explaining the shocking link between bad oral health and not only erectile dysfunction but also potentially heart disease, arthritis and potentially even cancer.
"Men who have periodontal disease [which is a medical term for gum disease] are 2.85 times more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction," Dr Sampson explained - a stat which left host Steven Bartlett speechless.
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"I'm pretty sure that's 280 percent, isn't it," he questioned, to which Dr Sampson confirmed that it indeed was.
Dr Sampson isn't the only person to highlight the concerning link between the two conditions either, with 2018 research shared by the Oral Health Foundation linking them too.
This is also backed up by 2016 research conducted by Guangzhou Medical University in China.
Dr Sampson then went on to explain that gum disease is a loose term which can include everything from gingivitis - which is where your gums become red, sore and may bleed - which is reversible, as well as periodontitis - a chronic infection which may need professional treatment to manage.
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Dr Sampson also urged anyone who is spitting blood when they brush their teeth to get their gnashers 'checked out' as they are at risk of developing more advanced gum disease.
Which we now know leads to issues much further away from the mouth.
Explaining what happens during the latter stages of gum disease, she continued: "If they don't get that checked out and sorted this will continue to what he call gum disease.
"That's where you have really high levels of bad bacteria now and this bacteria is essentially eating away at the gums and also your bone."
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So how does this relate to the penis?
Dr Sampson explained: "It essentially stops your blood vessels from dilating so you've got reduced blood flow to your penis. Therefore, it doesn't work."
Might be worth just running off to the bathroom for a quick teeth brushing break.
Topics: Health, Sex and Relationships
Brenna Cooper