We’ve all heard about how a nice smooch boosts our levels of feel-good hormones. You likely also know how easy it is to catch your significant other’s cold via kissing. But did you know that the activity of kissing can also affect your gum health?

The True Cause Of Gum Disease

In the early stages, gum inflammation is known as gingivitis. Let that rage go unchecked, and you’ll have a case of periodontitis on your hands which will likely require periodontal therapy.

Or gums, rather.

Periodontitis happens when the ligaments and bone around tooth roots start to break down from chronic inflammation. Those structures don’t easily grow back on their own, so this infection results in tooth loss if it’s not treated.

Infection? Yes, a bacterial one. Gum disease is caused by a large population of bacteria found in dental plaque.

What does kissing have to do with any of this?

What’s In A Kiss

A single kiss can transmit some 80 million bacteria, by one estimate.

That’s a lot of germs. Not all of which are good ones.

Among these are the bacteria that trigger gum inflammation. These germs are found naturally in virtually everyone’s mouths. We pick them up over the years after we’re born when we kiss loved ones, share eating utensils, and so forth.

But not everyone has the same amount of germs. Some people have more than others. Your partner could be sharing with you an extra large load of bacteria with each kiss.

With proper preventive measures, you can keep your gums healthy . . . and enjoy each and every kiss!

Ask your dentist for more tips on lowering your risk for gum disease.

Posted on behalf of:
Timber Springs Dental
5444 Atascocita Road Suite 100
Humble, TX 77346
(713) 244-8929