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Kissing has been shown to have a variety of health benefits, including the release of positive endorphins that can help improve your mood, as well as enhanced saliva flow, which can actually help protect you from oral health issues like tooth decay. It also exercises your facial muscles, so you’ll burn a few extra calories!
But could kissing also be bad for your teeth? Could it lead to serious oral health issues like gum disease? Read on and find out in this blog from Pearl Dental Studio!
Kissing Transmits Saliva Between You And Your Partner, Which Can Be A Bad Thing
As you’re probably well aware, kissing of any kind will transmit some saliva between you and your partner. And that can be a bad thing if either of you have sub-par oral health.
Why? Because the bacteria that can cause gum disease and cavities are contagious. If you or your partner have a lot of bacteria in your mouth, you could end up transmitting lots of bacteria to each other. These bacteria could lead to future oral health issues.
For example, these bacteria could colonize your mouth and damage your tooth enamel by releasing acid after digesting sugars, resulting in cavities. Or, if you’re not brushing and flossing properly, they may begin to attack your gums, causing gum disease (gingivitis).
However, this is only a problem if you and your partner don’t maintain great oral health. Chances are that if you both have healthy mouths and brush and floss properly, you’ve got nothing to worry about!
Safe Smooching Tips – Keep Your Mouth Healthy While Kissing!
We’re not suggesting that you have to stop kissing your loved one to protect your oral health. Far from it! In fact, there are a few tips you can use to make sure that you both protect your mouths while you kiss. Follow these “safe smooching tips” for better oral health and hygiene.
- Look out for bad breath – We all have bad breath sometimes. But if you or your partner constantly has bad breath that a few breath mints or some chewing gum can’t fix, this could be a sign of gum disease, which may require professional periodontal care from Dr. Cash at Pearl Dental Studio.
- Brush and floss properly – You and your loved one should both brush twice a day for two minutes and floss once daily. Rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash is also a good way to kill dangerous oral bacteria, and this also freshens your breath, so that’s a win-win when it comes to kissing!
- Stay hydrated – Plentiful saliva production is important for your oral health, since it helps wash away bacteria and neutralizes acid in your mouth. Make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist and keep your saliva flowing!
- See the dentist every six months – Regular dental visits ensure your mouth is healthy and free of gum disease or tooth decay. So make it a priority to come to Pearl Dental Studio every six months for preventive care from Dr. Lindsay Cash.
Contact Pearl Dental Studio Today To Keep Your Mouth Healthy!
We hope this blog has been a fun guide to the dental health effects of kissing. Just remember that as long as you and your partner both have healthy mouths, there’s nothing to worry about. You can smooch away!
But if you’re worried about your oral health, or you’re just overdue for a teeth cleaning and oral exam in Simpsonville, you can contact Pearl Dental Studio online or give us a call at (864) 214-1440 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lindsay Cash right away.
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