Bad breath in the bedroom may not be your only problem if you have gum disease; your dick may fail you too. Studies show that men in their 30s are 3 times more likely to have difficulty getting erections if they have gum disease. How could they possibly be related? When a man gets that sexual feeling, his healthy blood vessels naturally expand to increase blood flow throughout the body, a process known as vasodilation. However, when blood vessels are degraded by dirty mouths, it reduces dilation, blood flow decreases, and erections get weaker. Grab your floss and let’s talk about gum disease, how it affects boners, and how to make sure you have a healthy mouth and a healthy penis.

What Is Gum Disease?

Gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is a common, preventable disease since it is usually caused by lax oral hygiene. It can lead to tooth loss, heart disease, and lung disease. Periodontitis presents as red, swollen, tender gums that can sometimes bleed. Gum disease is treated by professionally cleaning the pockets around the teeth to prevent damage to the surrounding bone. Sometimes surgery is necessary in extreme cases.

How Do Gum Disease and a Healthy Penis Correlate?

Okay, so you are probably thinking, “How could my gums affect my boner?” It seems like a stretch or an extra-scary ploy to get men to floss more; however, it’s a significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction. It all comes down to blood vessels.

Gum disease causes inflammation, but not just in the mouth, in the whole body. That inflammation has been shown to lead to the death of blood vessel cells in the penis in the same way that it does in the mouth. To have a strong, reliable erection, blood vessels don't have to just live, they have to be healthy and open to accept the burst of blood flow that causes an erection. Gum disease is also closely linked to heart disease, which, of course, also can cause a man to have a less than healthy penis.

How to Prevent Gum Disease for a Healthy Penis

How can a man prevent gum disease? It’s pretty simple, really. Keep your biannual appointments at the dentist for regular professional cleanings. As for daily maintenance, experts say to brush for 2 minutes at least twice each day. Be sure to use a toothpaste with fluoride and rinse the mouth well. Finally, floss at least once per day. A lot of people do not floss correctly, so ask your dentist or hygienist how to do it effectively if you’re not sure how. Using a water pik, electronic toothbrushes, and medicated rinses, like chlorhexidine, can also up the ante when it comes to gum health.

Other Tips for Getting a Healthy Penis

Taking care of your teeth is just one way to get a healthy penis. A healthy body in general helps prevent erectile dysfunction and promotes penis health. Here are 5 musts for a healthy penis:

• Engage in physical exercise daily to get the blood flowing.

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• Eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, and protein sources—be they meat or vegetarian/vegan options—healthy carbs, fiber, and plenty of fresh water.

• Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night. Men have between 3 and 4 erections each night while sleeping, and they are crucial for a healthy penis.

• Stay on point with your penis hygiene. Wash thoroughly with a mild cleanser, rinse well, and pat or air dry daily, or more often if working out or enjoying some intimacy.

• In addition to getting your penis-promoting nutrients via a healthy diet, infuse some more of that wholesome natural supplementation with a specially formulated penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven mild and safe for skin) daily. It incorporates vitamin C and L-arginine, which are blood flow boosters that help produce strong, vigorous erections. It’s a key step every man should integrate into his daily self-care regimen.