Whenever you visit the dentist, there is one remark you’re almost guaranteed to hear: “You need to floss more.” It doesn’t matter if you floss after every meal; to a dentist, you’ll always need to invest in more floss. But while the dental chiding can be obnoxious, your dentist isn’t wrong. Flossing can be a pain in the neck, but it’s the cornerstone of good oral hygiene. With it, you can have a winning smile. Without it, you just might lose your erection.
Yes, while flossing and your erection seem as unconnected as humanly possible, the truth is that regularly flossing just might save you from developing gum-related erectile dysfunction.
Brushing and flossing regularly are surefire ways to avoid oral issues such as gum disease. But by skimping on brushing or skipping on flossing, gum disease can develop. Gum disease cause the gums to become inflamed, which can lead to bleeding when brushing. Internally, this gum disease can lead to tooth decay, as immune cells in your mouth attack the gum disease pathogens, leading to the spreading of bacteria.
This bacteria then seeps into the bloodstream, leading to damage to the blood vessels, starting with the smaller blood vessels first. This includes, you guessed it, the blood vessels leading to your penis. With damaged blood vessels, your body cannot supply the necessary blood to the penis, leading to erectile dysfunction.
And this isn’t just conjecture either; Turkish researchers have found that men with gum disease are three times more likely to develop erectile dysfunction.
So, while it’s certainly not a fun activity, regular flossing could mean the difference between an active sex life and a dead bedroom. So look after your teeth and gums and your erection will thank you.