By Kelsi Matylewicz | Benco Dental Social Media Intern

Most people have heard that poor dental care is linked to heart disease, but have you heard another connection exists from oral care to erectile dysfunction?

According to MensHealth.com reporter Danielle Austin, that is the case.

In the study, men with erectile dysfunction (ED) were 79 percent more likely to have been diagnosed with chronic periodontal disease (CPD) than those without ED.  CPD is an infection that occurs when the gums pull away from the teeth, creating deep pockets that harbor bacteria and allow the transfer to the bone surrounding the teeth.

Even if you brush your teeth regularly, most people make mistakes. Below are mistakes – and ways to fix each – in order to keep your whole body functioning properly.

Edmond R. Hewlett, D.D.S., a professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry, offers the following advice:

  • You don’t clean at the right time of day. 
    • Snacking before you sleep is never good and increases your risk of cavities.
    • Brushing your teeth should be the last thing you do before you go to bed and first thing you do in the morning.
    • Tip: Brush twice a day for at least 2 minutes, making sure you spend 30 seconds on each quadrant (your upper left teeth, your upper right teeth, and so on).
  • You use the wrong brush.
    • Pick a soft bristle toothbrush that can slip under your gum tissue and dislodge any plaque stuck there.
  • You follow the wrong technique. 
    • Positioning of the toothbrush is key. Situate the handle of your brush so the bristles point at a 30- to 45-degree angle when they touch your gum tissue.
    • Rotate your wrist in a circular motion to effectively remove the plaque.
    • When you move behind your front teeth, you should turn your tool vertically to better reach the entire tooth. And make sure to give special attention to the back of your mouth, since that area normally hides the largest amount of plaque.
  • You don’t rinse.
    • After you have finished brushing, make sure to rinse in order to rid anything that has been loosened.
  • You ignore the rest of your mouth.
    • Don’t forget to clean your tongue, it’s important, too.
  • You don’t replace your brush. 
    • The  American Dental Association (ADA) recommends buying a new brush every 3 or 4 months.
    • If you’ve been sick, swap out your brush immediately

To read more: https://www.menshealth.com/health/how-to-brush-your-teeth