One of the best ways to show your affection to your partner is to kiss them. But have you ever wondered about the benefits and consequences of kissing someone from the point of view of oral health?
Dental and medical researchers know these benefits and consequences and today we are going to talk about these so you are well-educated and careful when kissing someone. Let’s just start by saying that the saliva in your mouth helps in washing down the bacteria and keeps your mouth healthy in addition to playing a crucial role in digestion.
The problem with kissing is that the saliva also carries disease-causing bacterias if an individual’s oral health is poor. So when you kiss someone, the bacteria and virus from their saliva can end up on your own and cause you to suffer from common diseases. There are in fact some diseases that are easily spread through kissing.
Kissing can Spread Viruses
- If someone suffers from a common cold or flu including the novel coronavirus, kissing can spread it. Many different viruses are responsible for causing common flu and cold. The common cold is believed to be spread by direct contact with the virus. So if your loved one suffers from any respiratory tract infection, it is highly recommended that you avoid kissing until they have fully recovered.
It is also very important to not come in close contact with someone who has a viral disease such as a cold, flu, or coronavirus. This is because some viral infections are caused by micro-droplets in the air especially after someone has sneezed or coughed.
Spread of Serious Diseases Through Kissing
- While flu and the common cold are not something to worry about too much, dentists say that dangerous diseases like hepatitis B virus can also be transmitted through a kiss under limited conditions.
Although hepatitis is more commonly spread through blood because it has higher concentrations of the virus, infection is still possible through the mouth to mouth contact especially if an individual suffers from bleeding gums. Be aware that warts in the mouth can also be spread through the act of kissing especially if there are any areas of recent trauma.
Kissing is Good for Your Health Too!
- While a kiss may spread disease if you are not too careful, it is actually also very good for your health. Researchers found out that passionate kissing has many valuable health benefits if your mouth is healthy.
This is because saliva contains substances that fight back bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Since deep kissing increases the flow of healthy saliva, it can help protect your mouth, teeth, and gums.
Tips For Preventing Diseases Through Kissing
There are a number of preventative measures you can take to reduce the risk of passing on or catching an infection through a kiss. Here’s what you need to know.
- Avoid kissing your partner if they are sick
- Do not kiss a partner on their lips when they have an active cold sore, ulcer, or warts around the lips or inside their mouth.
- Encourage your partner to visit a dentist for periodontal therapy at least once in every six months.
- Maintain good oral hygiene by regularly brushing and flossing your teeth
- Get flu and other common viral disease immunizations from your doctor
If you maintain good oral hygiene, there is no need for a complete dental exam before kissing. Just make sure that you and your partner practice oral hygiene on a daily basis and the two of you will be fine!