Nearly half of U.S. adults over 30 show signs of gum disease, which can cause tooth loss. Talking to a partner about their oral hygiene can be a touchy subject. Most dental professionals would recommend having your teeth cleaned every 6 months (or more often if you have periodontitis).
At the end, gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria which cause bad breath. The somewhat counter-intuitive cure is to keep cleaning around and just below the gumline really well. This will eventually get rid of the toxins and stop the bleeding. We used to think that gingivitis inevitably would progress to periodontitis over time. This now appears not to be the case, but we don’t know what makes one person get periodontitis and another just get gingivitis.
While periodontal disease itself is not transmissible (because it’s so dependent on the host’s immune response), the bacteria that causes it is, says Carrillo. These bad bacteria (such as in the case with cavities) can “jump ship” and “transfer from one host to another via saliva,” she says. While there are some home kits sold on the internet, it’s never a good idea to try and remove tartar yourself. Unfortunately, it’s very easy to do permanent damage to your gums if you don’t have professional tools and the training required to use them correctly. Also, resist brushing harder – a toothbrush is never a match for tartar, and you don’t want to end up damaging your gums and teeth by brushing too hard.
The American Dental Association recommends brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day. “This is caused by a combination of the body’s immune system trying to fight off bacterial infection and the bacteria themselves,” she explains. Gingivitis is the earliest stage of gum disease (periodontal disease). It develops when plaque, tartar and bacteria build up on your teeth, causing red, swollen, bleeding gums. Your periodontist may use a dental bone graft to replace bone that you’ve lost to gum disease.
When it comes to maintaining good oral health, many factors come into play. While kissing and intimacy can have positive effects on our overall well-being, there is some evidence to suggest that certain behaviors associated with these activities may actually worsen gum disease.
Both habits are important to get rid of unwanted bacteria and keep your teeth and gums healthy. If you develop bleeding, tender or swollen gums, you should see a dentist as soon as possible. If you need more than a routine dental cleaning, your dentist will refer you to a periodontist for treatment. A dentist or periodontist will measure the pockets around your teeth using an instrument called a periodontal probe. This tells them how much bone you’ve lost around your teeth. The deeper the pockets, the more severe the gum disease you have.
The potential risks
Second, they will discuss insurance/cost and what to expect during and after the treatment, and help you schedule an appointment. Third, provide the appropriate treatment, from wisdom teeth extractions, to dentures, to dental implants, to laser surgery. Using a good fluoride toothpaste helps keep your teeth clean and free from plaque buildup, and flossing removes food particles and debris from between your teeth.
This stuff looks like food debris, but it’s actually a biofilm of bacteria called “plaque”. While the chances of passing infections like gonorrhea, chlamydia, and HIV through saliva aren’t usually worth worrying about, that changes if one of you has a cut or sore in your mouth. “Any time there’s an open sore and/or blood present, theoretically an infection could be transmitted orally,” says Pizarro. I apologize in advance if this is TMI but I’m sort of embarrassed to ask my dentist this. I have periodontitis and have been getting treatment in the last few months.
During intimate moments, the exchange of saliva can introduce harmful bacteria into the mouth. If one partner has gum disease or poor oral hygiene, this can increase the risk of transmitting these bacteria to the other partner, potentially worsening their gum health as well.
Prevention is key
To mitigate the risks associated with kissing and intimacy, it’s important for both partners to maintain good oral hygiene practices. This includes brushing and flossing regularly, using mouthwash, and scheduling regular dental check-ups to address any issues promptly.
Additionally, practicing safe behaviors such as avoiding sharing toothbrushes or utensils can help reduce the spread of bacteria that contribute to gum disease.
Conclusion
While kissing and intimacy are natural expressions of affection, it’s essential to be mindful of the potential risks they may pose to our oral health. By taking proactive measures to maintain good oral hygiene, we can enjoy these intimate moments without compromising our gum health.
