Whispering sweet nothings and nibbling your partners ear is sexy but when it comes to swapping saliva, watch out! The exchange of saliva in a kiss can transmit germs from one person to another. Our mouths are full of bacteria, good ones and bad ones. These bugs love to travel so transferring these bugs from one individual to another is much easier than we might expect.
Individuals that have unrestored cavities or mouth infections like gum disease are the most contagious. This is because the number of bad bacteria in their mouths is much higher. Therefore, the transmission of disease from one person to another is much greater.
This spread of bacteria between people does not only happen during kissing. Sharing eating utensils or drinks can also spread the bugs. Unfortunately, younger children are the most susceptible because their immune systems are not fully developed yet. Parents often spread their germs to their kids and these kids can spread those germs to their classmates.
We can prevent the spread of disease by following a few simple steps:
- Brush and floss two minutes, twice a day
- Floss your teeth at least once a day
- Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly for check ups
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash before intimate contact with your partner
- Avoid sharing utensils and drinks with people you don’t know