Can clean teeth improve male fertility?

by Kim Loos

I have a sperm infection that is interfering with my attempts to start a family. My dentist said the infection may be related to my gum disease. How is this possible?

answer

We all know that regular brushing and flossing prevents tooth decay and gum disease. Studies also suggest that good oral hygiene habits may improve fertility in sub-fertile males.

Sub-fertile men have reduced reproductive capacity. Sub-fertility can be caused by many factors, including a bacterial infection in the male reproductive system. Direct antibiotic therapy alone may not offer a permanent cure. This is because oral bacteria may reinfect the reproductive system when they are intermittently released into the bloodstream during gingival bleeding. Indeed, the bacteria present in the semen (called bacteriospermia) or the ejaculate of infected patients are often identical to common intra-oral bacteria. Escherichia coli can reach the male reproductive organs via the circulatory system and reduce sperm motility. One study found that the presence of bacteria in sperm was eliminated when dental cleaning and directed antibiotic therapy were both prescribed. Improvement in sperm motility, morphology and density has also been noted after sub-fertile males participated in regular dental cleanings.

This study suspected a direct causal relationship between dental diseases and asymptomatic bacteriospermia, which probably leads to sub-fertility.

This is another reason to regularly brush and floss your teeth.

References:

Bieniek et al., ‘Diseases of the masticatory system as possible causal factors of infertility’ ZWR (1989) 98(10):850, 852, 854.

Bieniek et al., ‘Bacterial foci in the teeth, oral cavity, and jaw: Secondary effects (remote action) of bacterial colonies with respect to bacteriospermia and subfertility in males’ Andrologia (1993) 25(3):159-162.

Ensslen et al., ‘Male subfertility and oral bacterial diseases’ Zentralbl. Gynaekol (1990) 112(13):823-825.

Linossier et al., ‘Sperm immobilisation by dental focus microorganisms’ Andrologia (1982) 14(3):250-255.

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Can clean teeth improve male fertility?