According to Dr. Tra Anh Duy, a specialist from Men's Health Center, a man might be very attentive to sperm health by quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, exercising, and taking vitamins when preparing for conception. However, when asked about their last dental check-up, the answer is sometimes "it's probably been several years".

Bleeding gums, bad breath, excessive plaque, and swollen, red gums are often considered minor issues. However, periodontitis not only damages the gums and tissues surrounding the teeth. When prolonged, this inflammation can trigger an immune response and increase oxidative stress, thereby affecting many organs.

Some studies note that periodontitis is linked to dysfunction of the endothelial cells lining blood vessels. This is also a factor of concern in male sexual health, as erectile function largely depends on the dilation of blood vessels.

The link to fertility is of greater interest because sperm are sensitive to inflammation and oxidative stress. Mortazavi and colleagues in 2025 analyzed 9 studies involving 1,386 men, noting that periodontal disease was associated with reduced sperm motility, an increased rate of abnormally shaped sperm, and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Meanwhile, results regarding sperm count and density were inconsistent.

A 2023 study by Pourabbas and colleagues also noted that higher oral inflammation was associated with lower sperm motility. However, this is observational data and does not prove that periodontal treatment improves sperm.

According to Dr. Duy, this should be understood as a correlation, not a causal relationship. Men with both periodontal disease and poor sperm quality may simultaneously have many other factors such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, sleep deprivation, stress, age, or varicocele.

The doctor has seen several individuals who sought consultation because the couple was having difficulty conceiving, and semen analysis showed poor sperm motility, but no clear cause was found. When asked further about their overall health, they then reported frequent bleeding gums, excessive plaque, or not having had a dental check-up for many years.

"In these cases, we cannot conclude that periodontitis is the cause of poor sperm, nor can dental treatment replace a male fertility examination", the doctor stated.

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Patients still need to identify common causes of semen abnormalities such as testicular conditions, varicocele, endocrine disorders, infections, metabolic diseases, and lifestyle factors. However, if chronic periodontitis is present, treating this condition is part of overall health care, particularly for men who are preparing to conceive.

Men should brush their teeth correctly, clean between their teeth, and have regular dental check-ups. Pay attention to signs such as frequently bleeding gums, swelling, gum recession, persistent bad breath, or loose teeth. Dental examinations do not replace male fertility examinations, but they can be a part of preconception health care.

Le Phuong