Mystery under the Mistletoe—Is Kissing Good or Bad for Oral health

With International Kissing Day just around the corner, we bet you’re getting ready to smooch, peck, and snog your partner. Kissing is a form of affection shared by people all over the world—it doesn’t matter who you are or where you live.

And as weird as it may sound, kissing is actually very beneficial for your oral health. It can kick start certain biological processes you might not even be aware of. Of course, with the benefits, there are also some risks.

Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of kissing.

The Benefits of Kissing

For starters, kissing generates more saliva in the mouth, and that helps to clean the mouth clean. It also washes away the excess food particles in your mouth and neutralizes the harmful acids that can cause tooth decay. Organisms in the saliva can decrease bacteria and slow down the formation of plaque.

Moreover, certain microorganisms present in saliva also stop the growth of harmful bacteria responsible for oral thrush. While kissing will expose you to more germs, it will also boost your immune system, which helps you fight off mouth infections more effectively.

The Downside of Kissing

There are always risks associated with swapping bodily fluids. While kissing certainly gives you a boost and strengthens your immune system, it can also make you more vulnerable to illnesses such as the common cold or mouth warts. It can also expose you to herpes simplex virus, which may cause a breakout of sores on the lips and mouth.

When you’re kissing for 10 seconds, you end up swapping close to 80 million bacteria. The act can transmit bad bacteria, which forms cavities. The risk is important to keep in mind when you’re kissing newborns. They might not have the bacteria in the mouth that leads to tooth decay, but if someone with infected saliva kisses them, it can cause problems.

How to Practice Good Oral Health

To ensure good oral health, practice the following tips:

Don’t kiss someone who has sores around their mouth
Avoid kissing newborns
Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly. If need be, you can also use a mouthwash.

Final Thoughts

It’s in everyone’s best interest to maintain good oral hygiene. If you’re looking for good dental services in Frisco, we’re here to help. Scheduling an appointment with us is pretty easy. Just fill out the form, and we’ll contact you.