Kiss and Tell: Schedule Teeth Whitening in Vancouver for Healthier Kisses

Kiss and Tell: Schedule Teeth Whitening in Vancouver for Healthier Kisses

Okay, we know Valentine’s is gone, but there’s so much more to say. At Pearl, we offer dental cleaning in Vancouver, and we wanted to explain how good oral hygiene can make kissing an amazing tool for your health. Get ready–we’re about to kiss and tell! 

It’s odd to think there’s a link between kissing and health, but a whole lot happens when you pucker up. Teeth cleaning is imperative for serial smoochers, and we’re about to tell you why.

You already know people exchange saliva when they kiss–no surprises there. And we’re not just talking about the good ol’ French. Just pressing lips results in a saliva swap that contains millions of bacteria. Important note: it might not sound super romantic, but it is natural–and not all bacteria are bad. Just a ten-second kiss can transfer about 80 million bacteria from one mouth to another. 

In our last blog, we discussed how kissing stimulates the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals, but there’s also a lot happening inside the mouth. Your salivary glands kick into overdrive, which neutralizes the acids on your teeth and reduces the risk of tooth decay. Kissing also exposes both people to new germs, making the immune system a little more robust. All in all, kissing is a great way to melt off tension, work those facial muscles, and even burn a few calories.

Of course, there are drawbacks, too. In the same way, kissing spreads helpful bacterial–it can also spread the bad stuff. These misbehaving microbes are most often related to the common cold, the herpes simplex virus, or even tooth decay. Yes, sharing a kiss with someone who has bad oral hygiene can lead to oral health problems. Although it is not as straightforward as “kissing causes cavities.”

Developing a tooth infection by snogging someone a little behind in their oral care is pretty unlikely. On the other hand, saliva does act as a channel for all kinds of bacteria and viruses. Harmful bacteria can pass from one person to another, where it can colonize and progress, eventually leading to problems like tooth decay and gum disease. And the problem is severe enough to merit serious concern when kissing babies, who do not have any decay-producing bacteria in their mouths after birth. Kissing a baby on the lips can spread bacteria that colonize in their mouth, eventually decaying delicate baby teeth.

Achieve kiss bliss with a dental cleaning in Vancouver

If reading about bacteria has puckered your pout–don’t worry. We strongly believe in the bonding and benefits of kisses, but we DO want you to practise safe smooching. Yes, it’s a thing. From our point of view, a great kisser is someone who gets their teeth cleaned twice a year–and gets their partner to do the same. Make sure to disclose if you have 

 any mouth sores or gum disease, both of which are highly transmittable. Drink lots of water, and maintain excellent oral hygiene at home by brushing twice a day and flossing once.

At Pearl in Vancouver, our dental cleaning services include an oral, periodontal, and dental exam, scaling and root planning, with optional polishing and fluoride treatment. Moreover, if you are a first-time customer and want to try teeth whitening, we’ll offer you 50% off your whitening service (25% off for return customers).

Set up an appointment online or email us at smile@teethwhiteningbypearl.com. Our cozy boutique clinic sits in the heart of South Granville, with plenty of street parking and underground pay parking. Swing by to clean up your kissing game–of course, technique is up to you.