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In addition to the mounting list of diseases and health problems linked to gum disease, recent studies show that gum disease may play a role in gender-specific health conditions. Researchers in Israel report that infertile men are more prone to gum disease than those who are fertile. A study of 56 men aged 23 to 52 was conducted for three years. Findings showed that 65% of those subjects with preexisting gum disease had low sperm counts. Half of the subjects with no sperm suffered chronic periodontitis before the study began. In addition, those with gum disease showed sperm with decreased motility. Read the full article here.

In Switzerland, scientists studied 180 women who had not given birth in the past six months. Vaginal bacterial counts in women with gingivitis and bacterial vaginosis (BV) were “significantly higher” than in the other subjects, those without both conditions and those with only BV. The study was published in BioMed Central Infectious Diseases, January 22, 2009.

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If you’re interested in the latest info in hygiene, prevention, and periodontics, be sure to read this interesting article at DPRworld.com: The next level of training for early caries and periodontal detection.