In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, all of us at the Modesto dental office of Vintage Dental want to talk a little bit about whether kissing is good or bad for your smile and how it can affect your oral health.  Even though taking a lesson in kissing from your dentist in Modesto may seem odd, we are the experts at keeping your mouth healthy.

We all know that we can catch colds from a kiss. But did you know that the act of kissing can also potentially lead to dangerous dental concerns? The same way that a cold virus can transfer from one person the other, other types of bacteria, and even some dental diseases, can be caught through kissing. Many of the most common oral problems that can be caught through kissing include cold sores, Mononucleosis (or Mono, the kissing disease), and gum disease.

Now that we’ve made kissing a bit scary, let’s talk about some of the benefits to kissing. Believe it or not, kissing serves as more than just a way to show someone that you love them. In fact, kissing increases saliva flow, which is a good thing for your teeth and mouth. Increased saliva helps to remove plaque and wash it away. Kissing can also improve your mood and strengthen your relationship, which is always good for your overall health.

So before you launch into some serious smooching with your loved one this Valentine’s Day season, make sure both of your mouths are healthy. The best way to ensure a kissable mouth? Maintain routine professional cleanings and checkups with your dentist in Modesto. These important visits help keep bacteria at bay and are great at aiding against gum disease. Need to schedule a cleaning or checkup? Call Vintage Dental today!