What do my teeth have to do with my fertility?
It seems that good oral hygiene can make us more fertile, both women and men.
According to the latest research, dental health can affect the time it takes for a woman to conceive.
And, for men, gum disease and tooth decay have been linked to poor semen and sperm health.
During pregnancy, poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, and having a low birth weight baby.
So making sure teeth and gums are healthy is not only important for fertility but important for the future child.
And how does this relationship occur?
What should be done to ensure that it does not negatively affect you?
Diseases and dental health problems
Periodontal disease
Most research on fertility and dental health focuses on periodontal disease. The main symptoms are swollen, red and sensitive gums.
To diagnose periodontal disease, a hygienist must examine the gums with a periodontal probe. With it, the spaces of tissue that exist between the gum and the tooth are gently pressed. The objective is to identify pockets that indicate a possible periodontal disease, chronic inflammation of the gums or the tissues that support the jaw.
Approximately 1 in 10 people experience severe periodontal disease. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss and irreversible jawbone deterioration.
Periodontal disease is associated with a number of health conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory disease, and stroke.
All the women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and with endometriosis and men with erectile dysfunction are more likely to be diagnosed with periodontal disease than the general population.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease but one that is even more common.
According to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 75% of the population between 35 and 45 years of age and more than half of adolescents suffer from some type of gingival problem. 90% of the Spanish population is affected by gingivitis and almost 50% by periodontitis.
Gingivitis is also an inflammation of the gums but does not lead to bone loss like periodontal disease. However, gingivitis can progress to periodontal disease. Poor oral hygiene is usually the main cause of gingivitis.
LINK special Gingivitis mouthwash
Dental health and male fertility
Several studies have found that men with poor oral health, either due to excessive and untreated cavities or periodontal disease, are more likely to be diagnosed with infertility.
Although the mechanisms are not entirely clear, evidence shows that low sperm count, its poor motility, its abnormal morphology and the probability of bacterial infection in the semen are associated with oral and dental health problems. Several studies have found that the treatment of dental caries and infections generates an improvement in semen quality.
On the other hand, while erectile dysfunction is not a sign of male infertility, studies indicate that those who suffer from erectile dysfunction are more likely to have gum disease.
What does poor oral health have to do with sperm?
There are some theories.
First, that cavities, dental infections, and gum disease all involve high levels of bacterial growth in the mouth. These levels of bacteria in the mouth can increase the level of bacteria in other areas of the body.
When a bacterial infection is found in semen it is called bacteriospermia. To prove this, an abnormally high white blood cell count would have to be found in a semen sample.
Studies link poor oral health with an increased risk of bacteriospermia. And they confirm that the treatment of caries and oral infections leads to a reduction or elimination of this condition.
Second, when the body is fighting an infection like tooth decay, the immune response is kicked into high gear. The infection and immune response may be concentrated in the mouth, but can also lead to increased inflammation in the rest of the body. This, in turn, can lead to the immune system attacks healthy cells that are constantly growing, such as sperm Developing.
And third, risk factors for poor oral health may coincide with risk factors for infertility. For example, consider smoking. Smokers are at increased risk of developing periodontal disease and, in turn, smoking can have a negative impact on infertility.
Dental health and female fertility
Most of the research on dental health and fertility has been conducted on men. However, scientists are beginning to look at how oral health can affect female fertility.
Women with periodontal disease take longer to conceive
In a study of 3.737 pregnant women in Australia, researchers examined whether periodontal disease was associated with greater difficulty conceiving. Women with periodontal disease took an average of 7,1 months to become pregnant. However, women without periodontal disease only took 5 months on average.
Periodontal disease increased the time to conception by two months.
It is important to note that this statistically significant increase in time to conception was only found in non-Caucasian women.
In Caucasian women, there was also an increase in time to conception, but this was not considered statistically significant.
Ethnicity is a known risk factor for periodontal disease, along with other genetic factors.
Non-Caucasian women may have immune systems that are more susceptible to periodontal disease and are also more likely to face health consequences related to gum disease, such as fertility.
And it's also important to note that the study only included women who had planned pregnancies naturally. That is, women who conceived thanks to fertility treatments were excluded. For this reason, the study cannot be directly extrapolated to women with previously diagnosed infertility. Although there are still no data in this regard, it is desirable to ensure good dental health before starting treatment, even if only as a precaution.
Periodontal disease and reduced fertility: cause or effect?
Does periodontal disease cause other health problems? Or do health problems cause periodontal disease? We just don't know. More research is needed to draw conclusions.
However, there are some theories.
One possible connection between poor oral health and female fertility is immunological. (Similar to the theory of male fertility problems and periodontal disease just mentioned). Periodontal disease can make the immune system overly reactive.
Although, it could also be that an immune system that is previously overly reactive due to other factors could increase the risk of developing periodontal disease.
Reproductive immunology studies the possible connection between the body's immune system and how it reacts to implantation and embryo development.
Women with overactive immune systems have been found to be at increased risk of infertility, miscarriage and embryo implantation failure during IVF treatment. Common causes of female infertility, specifically endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome, are also associated with an increased risk of periodontal disease.
According to a study of more than 4.000 women, those with endometriosis were 57% more likely to have gingivitis or periodontal disease compared to women without endometriosis. The researchers theorize that immune dysregulation could be the connection.
In another small study, researchers found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome were more likely to have gingivitis compared with women without polycystic ovary syndrome.
What is especially interesting about this study is that it did not include smokers, diabetics, or obese women. This showed that there is something about having PCOS itself, not counting the risk factors associated with PCOS, that causes an increased risk of gum disease.
This would be a topic for another post!
How to improve dental health and fertility?
Whether periodontal disease is a risk factor for infertility or the other way around, it's worth spending time and energy to take care of your dental health.
This is especially relevant given research showing that treating cavities and gum disease can improve male fertility and pregnancy outcomes.
The risk of developing periodontal disease depends on a variety of factors; genetics, general health habits, the presence of other diseases and finally, oral hygiene. Little can be done about genetics, but there is much to be done in terms of health habits and oral hygiene practices.
Schedule dental cleanings on a regular basis
It is not easy to find a place for prevention in today's busy schedules. It is interesting to agree with the dental clinic an annual, semi-annual appointment reminder or according to the professional's criteria. This will be useful so as not to postpone these appointments over time. Regular dental cleanings are essential to maintain oral health and healthy gums.
Regular visits to the dentist
One or two visits to the dentist a year is something that every schedule can afford. Later, depending on the case, more regularity may or may not be necessary. The only way to contain a cavity, before it generates major complications, is to treat it before it gets worse. By the time you feel pain, the dental infection is already well developed in the gums.
Also check the gums
An excess of patients to visit in consultations can lead to not having time to carry out a complete review of both teeth and gums. It's good to make sure the dental hygienist knows this is important to your case. It doesn't hurt to mention the ongoing fertility process to capture their attention and dedication.
Clean regularly and correctly
Brushing your teeth after each meal, or at least twice a day, is a basic exercise for oral health. It is necessary to brush your teeth well and also your gums.
Gently but repeatedly. LINK electric toothbrush with pressure sensor
And flossing is especially vital for gum health. LINK dental floss
Still, there will be cases where flossing won't be enough. This is especially true for those who have already developed gum disease. In these cases, benefits can be obtained with the use of hydrotherapy toothbrushes or interdental brushes.
It is worth reviewing with the hygienist the way in which we brush our teeth. We can get surprised at how wrong we could have been for a long time. Similarly, the use of dental floss has its technique and its secrets. Let yourself be advised by professionals for a more effective cleaning.
Rinse whenever possible.
If you are not in the habit of brushing your teeth after each meal, rinsing with water after meals can be interesting. This habit reduces the inflammation of the gums and the risk of suffering from cavities. LINK rinse
Deep cleanings by professionals
In case there are already deep pockets of tissue in the gums, even the most demanding cleaning at home will not be enough.
In the case of periodontitis, bacteria accumulate within these deep pockets and, over time, is what leads to the deterioration of the jaw and even tooth loss.
If this is the case, the last recommendation would be to schedule fertility treatments at least a few weeks after having some type of deep dental cleaning. Early research has found that deep dental cleanings, specifically cleanings intended to treat periodontal disease, may cause a temporary increase in immune activity.
The researchers are concerned that this may negatively affect the success of fertility treatment. If it is necessary to carry out some type of X-ray test to know the extent of bone deterioration, it is always more recommended that it be done before becoming pregnant.
The reality is that maintaining good oral hygiene doesn't just make you more kissable. It is also healthier in general, and more favorable when trying to get pregnant.
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