Studies reveal a connection between the health of your mouth and the wellness of your prostate. Specifically, men with untreated periodontal disease may unwittingly be putting other organs of the body at risk—including the prostate gland.

What is periodontal disease?

Periodontal disease, or gum disease as it’s also known, is harmful to gums, teeth and even to the bones that keep teeth in place. It’s caused by the bacteria that can build up on the teeth, leading to infection of the gums. Symptoms include sore red gums, swollen or bleeding gums, bad breath, and even loose teeth.

Factors that contribute to gum disease include poor oral hygiene and neglect of dental care, smoking, genetics, biochemical oral changes due to diabetes or other chronic conditions.

Periodontal disease can spread to other organs including the prostate

The warm, moist environment of the mouth can contain 200-300 different types of bacteria. The Advanced Institute for Oral Health notes, “Gum disease develops when sticky plaque on tooth surfaces turns to hard tartar, providing an ideal place for bacteria to hide and multiply. And because tartar tends to build up along gum lines where it’s difficult to brush, it’s easy for bacteria to get beneath the gum and into the bloodstream. From there, it’s a quick ‘ride’ to the rest of the body and its organs and tissues, including the prostate gland and heart.”

A journal article on the link between periodontal disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) offers a sobering list of gum disease implicated in

• Cardiovascular disease, including damage to arteries, and even blood vessels involved in erectile function
• High blood pressure
• Cancers of the head and neck
• Breast cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Lung cancer
• Metabolic diseases, including diabetes and obesity.^[i]

In 2017, Estemalik et al. found that in many cases, patients with chronic prostatitis or BPH, and who also had gum disease caused by specific oral bacteria, had evidence of the same bacterial DNA in their prostate secretions.^[ii] Their study established a demonstrable link between oral bacteria and its infiltration as far away from the mouth as the prostate gland.

Most recently, an October 2025 “mini review” of published journal articles reported that numerous studies have correlated gum disease with “prostate conditions such as chronic prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer (PCa).”^[iii]

Oral hygiene is good for the prostate

The Sperling Prostate Center has posted many blogs on ways to foster prostate wellness, including preventing PCa through diet, exercise, supplements, stress management, etc. Now we can include dental care in our ever-growing knowledge base. We have long embraced the principle that what is good for the heart it good for the prostate (and vice versa). It looks like we have to add, what’s good for the teeth and gums is good for the prostate.

Consider this blog as a gentle reminder to maintain oral hygiene by

• Brushing/flossing teeth twice daily
• Using a mouthwash that has antibacterial properties
• Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains
• Avoid sugary foods and beverages
• Have dental cleanings and checkups twice a year.

To sum up, take good care of your teeth and gums to help your prostate gland take care of you!

NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.

References

[i] Wu L, Li BH, Wang YY, Wang CY et al. Periodontal disease and risk of benign prostate hyperplasia: a cross-sectional study. Mil Med Res. 2019 Nov 13;6(1):34.
[ii] Estemalik J, Demko C, Bissada NF, Joshi N et al. Simultaneous Detection of Oral Pathogens in Subgingival Plaque and Prostatic Fluid of Men With Periodontal and Prostatic Diseases. J Periodontol. 2017 Sep;88(9):823-829.
[iii] Li S, Cao H, Zhang Y, Yang T et al. Association between periodontal disease and prostate disease: a mini review. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2025 Oct 8;15:1669490.