You look deep into your lover’s eyes. Magic. Then, as you lean in for a kiss, you notice they have unhealthy gums. Should you pull back or keep going?
Here are the facts:
According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, cavities could be passed between romantic partners.
The act of kissing can transfer over 80 million bacteria from one mouth to another, and yes, some of those transferred bacteria can cause gum disease. Exposing yourself to these bacteria will put you at a higher risk for developing gum disease.
However, you can’t get gum disease from someone else like you’d get the flu or other communicable diseases/infections. If you maintain good oral health, you can create an inhospitable environment for bad bacteria to flourish and preventing the progression of disease.
In addition, a deep, passionate kiss also introduces additional agents into your mouth, which helps to further wash bacteria off your teeth and help break down plaque.
A few other health benefits of a kiss:
- Kissing exercises the face muscles, which can prevent wrinkling.
- Kissing doubles your metabolic rate, which is equal to jogging on the treadmill.
- A Kiss quells anxiety and heightens the experience of being in the moment.
So, yes, you should keep going in for that kiss.
Happy Valentine’s Day
Love, Yonge Eglinton Dental
