Zee Media Bureau


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Sydney: A number of studies suggest that your oral health can affect your sexual life and in more ways than one.


Now, a study finds that individuals who are in a trusting, secure and loving relationship may have good oral health compared to those in a bad one.


This indicates that your dental hygiene stands witness to your happy love life.


Researchers found that people in love paid extra attention to their appearance, including dental health.


"We were surprised how greatly romantic relationships really did play a big part," Grace Branjerdporn from University of Queensland in Australia, was quoted as saying to abc.net.au.


Those who were emotionally detached from their partners appeared reluctant to schedule regular preventative dental appointments, the researchers said.


"The study discovered that those who try to avoid emotional intimacy, or are worried their partner would leave in times of need, were more likely to have negative oral health," Branjerdporn added.


"They also have higher levels of self-reliance, distrust others and avoid seeking support," she said.


"On the brighter side, those in a love life, who trust the other person and have higher self-worth lead to better dentist visiting habits," Branjerdporn observed.


For the study, the team analysed a group of 265 people, mainly in their early 30s with healthy lifestyles.


Bad breath, also known as halitosis or fetor oris, is said to be affecting an estimated 25% of people, globally.


While short-term bad breath is usually caused by something you ate, long-term bad breath means can be a sign of other health problems. The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene.


Regular dental check-ups can help ensure any oral hygiene problems are picked up and treated early.


The research has been published in the journal of Quality of Life Research.


(With IANS inputs)