A kiss can exchange up to 80 million bacteria. The mouth contains a mixture of both good and bad bacteria, and those ‘bad’ bacteria include the ones that cause cavities and gum disease.
Kissing someone who has gum disease or cavity-causing bacteria can cause someone who previously had a low concentration of ‘bad’ bacteria to ‘catch’ dental bacteria. Especially if that person has poor oral hygiene habits, which set the stage for tooth decay. Periodontitis might be passed from parents to children and between romantic partners, according to an article published in the Journal of The American Dental Association. However, even if your kissing partner has gum disease, you don’t have to stop kissing to protect yourself. Gum disease doesn’t occur the same way as the fu or an STI. That’s because gum disease isn’t just caused by the transmission of ‘bad’ bacteria – it’s much more multi-factorial than that.
What Causes Gum Disease?
Gum disease can be caused by not only the presence of the ‘bad’ bacteria but also the poor oral hygiene habits that ‘set the stage’ for dental issues. Or, it can be caused by the presence of the ‘bad’ bacteria along with a compromised immune system or an immune system that’s still developing, as is the case with children.
Just be extra sure that you are practising good oral hygiene. That’s regular brushing, flossing and seeing your dentist regularly for a check-up and teeth cleaning.
I’m sure this happy couple have perfect oral hygiene and we would definitely encourage the UK population to keep on kissing, especially if it gives us more magic moments such as Harry and Meghan’s first wedding kiss!
