Is Kissing Dangerous To Your Health?

Is kissing harmful to your health? With just one kiss couples can share more than 500 different types of disease-causing germs and viruses, warns the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), a professional association of more than 35,000 general dentists.

   

Before you pucker up again, consider some of the most common diseases and viruses that you and your sweetie can transmit to each other while smooching:

 

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Cold Sores

Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus. They appear as tiny, clear, fluid-filled blisters that form around the mouth and lips. The sores are highly contagious, especially if they are leaking fluid. However, even sores that have scabbed over can be contagious.

 

"A wound near the lips is most often herpes," says the Academy of General Dentistry. "A good rule of thumb is that if a person has any visible sores near his or her lips, avoid intimate contact!"

 

Colds

If you feel a cold or flu virus coming on, avoid a make-out session. Common cold and flu viruses can be transmitted very easily through contact with the saliva or nasal secretions of a sick person. Yuck!

 

Mononucleosis

Mononucleosis, also known as the "kissing disease," is easily communicated to others through kissing, as well as sharing food, a cup, utensils or straws.

 

College students are more prone to developing mononucleosis, due to a lowered resistance and living in close quarters with other students.

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"People can look as healthy as can be, but you have no idea what kind of diseases they are carrying," says The Academy of General Dentistry. "To protect yourself, know the person you are kissing."

 

If you're still in the mood—and you and your partner are healthy—stealing some smooches may benefit your oral health by increasing saliva production. Saliva helps to wash away food particles and cavity-causing bacteria. It also protects teeth from decay by neutralizing harmful acids.

 

Another important consideration around Valentine's Day is how to keep your breath in minty-fresh condition. The Academy of General Dentistry shares these tips:

 

To Get Fresh Breath:

• Avoid spicy foods, such as onions and garlic, and coffee. These foods and drinks can be detected on a person's breath for up to 72 hours after digestion.
• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day. Remember to brush the tongue, cheeks and the roof of the mouth.
• Chew sugar-free gum after meals to wash away food particles that get stuck between teeth and cause yucky odors.

 

If these methods don't alleviate your bad breath, make an appointment with your general dentist to determine its source. If your dentist believes that the problem is caused internally, such as an infection, he or she may refer you to your family physician or a specialist to help remedy the cause of the problem.

Strange Brews: Six Drinks that Cause Tooth Decay

Wondering if that beverage you sip on throughout the day is harmful on your teeth?

Probably not, if you’re like most people.

Many of us slurp down countless sodas, juices, coffees and teas without giving a second thought to the damage we might be doing to our teeth. With this in mind, we’ve created a list of the six most common beverages that can cause tooth decay.

But first off, here’s a formula to remember:

Acid + Sugar + Bacteria=Decay

The mouth is a breeding ground for cavity-causing bacteria. No matter how much you brush or floss, bacteria will still be present inside your mouth. Not much you can do about that.

Problem is, bacteria loves sugar. It feeds on it. The more sugar we consume, the more bacteria we create. That’s issue number one.

Issue number two is acid. It erodes tooth enamel, the hard, protective layer on our teeth. When acid weakens enamel, all that bacteria feasts on teeth, causing cavities.

And what ingredients are most common in soft drinks? You guessed it, sugar and acid.

So here are the six drinks to avoid (or at least drink in moderation, we’re realists, after all.)

Citrus Juices (Lemonade, Limeade, Grapefruit Juice, Orange Juice)

Did your mom ever tell you not to eat lemons? Well, she had a point. Citrus fruits are loaded with acid, and most store-bought juices have a ton of sugar, to boot. It’s the perfect storm for tooth decay.

Sports Drinks

Contrary to what advertising tells you, sports drinks are not particularly good for your body, and really not good for your teeth. They are particularly high in sugar and contain all kinds of organic acids and additives. Same goes for that “Fitness Water” as well. So next time you finish a workout, grab a bottle of water to rehydrate instead.

Premixed Iced Tea

We’re talking canned or bottled store-bought iced tea here. Take a look at the nutritional label and you might go into sugar shock. Brew your own iced tea instead, and add artificial sweetener (go light) instead of sugar. Beware though; iced tea of any kind can stain teeth.

Energy Drinks

Over the past decade we’ve seen an influx of energy drinks hit the market. They each claim to give you that extra boost you need to get through the day thanks to their unique blend of vitamins and natural supplements. But do you know what really gives you that buzz? That’s right, caffeine and sugar. Lots of it.

Soda

High fructose corn syrup is a fancy word for sugar. Phosphoric acid is, well, acid. Every soda, clear or not, has both of these essential ingredients. Stay away whenever possible.

Wine
Studies show that red wine does have some overall health benefits, but these studies didn’t account for your teeth. Wine is highly acidic, and the fact that it’s usually sipped over long periods of time makes it really hard on your teeth.

While we’re on the subject of booze, by itself most alcohol is not that harmful—for your teeth. Beer, as an example has no sugar and a low acidic content. The problem arises with mixed drinks. Mixers like tonic water and margarita mix usually have more sugar and acid than any of the beverages listed above. Try club soda instead.

What about Diet Drinks?

There’s a “diet” option available for nearly every beverage we’ve named in this article. While most contain little, if any, sugar, they still will probably have the same amount of acid. So if you absolutely must have a soda or energy drink, opt for the diet version. It’s not ideal, but it’s better than the alternative.

In our next blog entry we will show you how you can minimize the effects of tooth erosion caused by everyday beverages. So stop by again soon!

Okay, your turn. What are you doing to try and cut back on sodas and juices in the New Year? Have any questions or comments for us? Suggestions for blog articles? Post them all below. We’d love to hear from you!