Yes, you can technically catch cavities from someone else through kissing. However, the germs that may have initially produced the cavity rather than the cavity itself may be the issue. In this blog, we'll discuss why people get cavities via kissing and, more significantly, how they may safeguard their oral health while maintaining their intimacy.

What Happens When You Kiss?

We've all heard that kissing lowers blood pressure, relieves headaches, releases happy hormones, burns calories, and tones facial muscles. This close gesture can also transfer bacteria that cause cavities. Also, cavities are contagious, you heard that right!

First and foremost, everyone has their own type of naturally existing bacterium in their mouth. As a result, when two people kiss, they interchange saliva, spreading bacteria from one to the other. According to one study, an intimate kiss of 10 seconds results in a total bacterial transmission of 80 million bacteria.

Experts have found that when people kiss, they share a salivary microbiome. However, the microbiota (range of microorganisms) on their tongues is more similar between long-term partners than between unrelated individuals. It’s not all about kissing, but other factors like oral healthcare, shared lifestyle and environment, and more.

Also, this so-called communal bacteria when shared during kissing is only present for a short period of time. However, kissing can expose you to contagious infections such as the common cold, herpes, simplex virus, and some oral warts when you come into contact with infected saliva.

💡 Did You Know?
The oral cavity is home to about 700 different, largely anaerobic species!

Measures to Safeguard Yourself

Cavities are often transmitted through saliva exchange when there is mouth-to-mouth contact. This is due to the fact that there are cavity-causing germs in the saliva. Follow these simple instructions to keep your teeth cavity-free:

1. Brush and floss your teeth
2. Use an antiseptic mouth rinse after kissing
3. Chew Xylitol gum and mints. (Xylitol keeps microorganisms off your teeth and maintains a neutral pH in your mouth.)
4. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth to boost saliva production.
5. Know about your partner's dental health to practice safe kissing. (If he or she has terrible breath, it could be an indication of gum disease, which is communicable.)

The Bottom Line

Now that you know, be cautious with your kissing sessions! Visit a dentist every six months for a comprehensive dental wellness check-up. If you want to know more about how to keep your mouth healthy and free of cavities, speak with our dentists today.

 

Book An Appointment With A Dentist Today!

 

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Dhanunjay Reddy B