PatientFYI: A kiss is not JUST a kiss!!!  Researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry had dental students kiss bacterial culture plates to tell how much bacteria is transferred in a kiss.THE RESULTS:

- A 12-second kiss has double the bacteria of a 2-second kiss.

- Lipstick reduces bacteria.

- Kissers with mustaches spread more bacteria than kissers with a hairless lip.

- More bacteria are on lips when kissing occurs first thing in the morning.

Not that we would want to discourage anyone from kissing, we would however encourage conscientious home care.  Brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste not only make teeth stronger and more resistant to decay, but also slows down how fast bacteria reproduce.  And of course we can’t say enough about the benefits of flossing and using a tongue scraper in reducing the levels of bacteria in the mouth.  Although it is nice to share, let’s not share germs.

It has been shown in others studies than if one person has gum disease (which is caused by bacteria), it can be transferred to their partner.  So besides good home care make sure you keep up on your regular preventive dental visits.

At Shwedel Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, it is our goal to keep your smile beautiful and your mouth healthy.  Should you have any questions about this or any other dental related topic including the latest ways to give you a beautiful smile, please contact us at 313-292-5590 or visit our website www.shwedeldental.com. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

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Tags: dental, Dental Health, Find a Dentist, Gum Disease, Improve Your Smile, Patient Reviews