Is kissing addictive?

Why We Kiss?

Is Kissing Dangerous?

?Kissing is a small but significant health risk. It's not all doom and gloom.?

During a kiss, this lip sensitivity causes our brain to create a chemical cocktail that can give us a natural high.

This cocktail is made up of three chemicals, all designed to make us feel good and crave more: dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin. ... As a result, we experience feelings of euphoria and addictive behavior.

What happens to your body when you're kissing?

Well, that depends, as not all kisses are alike; some kisses are short and sweet, while others are long and full of passion.

Of course, how you kiss probably depends on who is on the receiving — or should we say reciprocating — end: a friend, a family member, a new love interest, or an established romantic partner.

In dating and relationships, your lips can be put to persuasive use beyond speaking and smiling. Kissing is the key to love.

Kissing well, you may help find yourself with a partner for life (or at least for the evening). Failing to do so, you might not get a second chance.

A peck on the lips is quite different than a hot and heavy, full-body, tongue-thrusting make-out session, after all.

Either way, kissing is a way to show affection, and maybe even initiate intimacy between you and your partner. And while it can stir up a lot of intense emotions, such as happiness, excitement, and love, kissing can also have some major physical effects on our bodies and physiology.

Thankfully, most of the impacts of kissing are good and helpful.

No one wants to come down with a yucky sickness, and we all know that colds, the flu, and painful strep throat are all contagious.

Most of us try to do all we can to protect ourselves from these germs, such as backing away when someone coughs or sneezes for fear that their germs will land on us.

But, what if we told you that, like a common cold, cavities are contagious?

While there are benefits of kissing on oral health, risks also exist. Learn more about both the positive and negative oral health effects associated with this gesture.

What's Really Exchanged in a Kiss?

According to a study published in the journal Microbiome, you have over 700 species of bacteria and organisms in your mouth. These bacteria are found in your saliva and on your oral surfaces, including your teeth, tongue, and cheeks and surrounding areas your tongue, in particular, is responsible for many of the microorganisms that wind up in your saliva.

Do you realize that the act itself could be passing on some serious disease-causing bacteria?

Bacteria and viruses exist in everyone's mouth and generally are not problematic. But kissing can transmit a small number of disease-causing bacteria and viruses through the oral cavity. Some diseases are more easily spread through kissing than others. Some examples include:

Upper respiratory tract infections like colds

Mononucleosis, or Mono, which is often called "the kissing disease." It is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, which is spread through saliva.

Varicella zoster virus (VZV)is one of eight herpes viruses known to infect humans. It commonly causes chicken pox in adults but rarely in children. Publications have shown significant correlation between oral cancer and several herpes viruses.

Herpes infection, which can also cause cold sores, is highly transmittable. Rubbing a cold sore with your finger and then touching your eye or nasal membranes can easily create a significant problem by transmitting the virus to that site.

Hepatitis B can be spread from bleeding gums to another person through contact with mucous membranes in the mouth. People are more likely to be infected if they have open sores in their mouth.

Disclaimer:?The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for?general information purposes / educational purposes only, and to ensure discussion or debate.?

Thank?you …So, what happens when two people kiss?

?In a single kiss lasting approximately 10 seconds, a whopping 80 million bacteria can be transferred from mouth to mouth!

Benefits of Kissing on Oral Health

You may question how the exchange of saliva and bacteria could possibly be healthy, but kissing may offer some notable oral health benefits.

Kissing causes a chemical reaction in your brain, including a burst of the hormone oxytocin. It's often referred to as the “love hormone,” because it stirs up feelings of affection and attachment. oxytocin is particularly important in helping men bond with a partner and stay monogamous.

For starters, kissing can increase salivary flow, it helps to wash away excess food debris in the mouth and neutralizes harmful acids that can cause tooth decay. Some organisms in your saliva can actually help to decrease bacterial growth and even slow down plaque formation.

Certain organisms in saliva help stop the growth of harmful bacteria, such as those responsible for oral thrush or strains of Streptococcus bacteria, which play a part in tooth decay. In short, a healthy saliva flow promotes a healthy mouth.

And while kissing isn't a sure path to immunity kissing exposes you to more germs, which can help to boost your immune system. So, to some degree, you're strengthening your body's resistance to infectious organisms when sharing a kiss!

Want to add word or two?

Risks of Swapping Saliva

There is always some risk of illness when coming into contact with bodily fluid. Kissing can make you susceptible to contagious illnesses, such as the common cold, herpes simplex virus or certain mouth warts.

Kissing can also transmit the bad bacteria that lead to cavities. This risk is particularly important to keep in mind when kissing babies and newborns. They don't have the bacteria that cause tooth decay in their mouths at birth, but if someone with infected saliva kisses them, those bacteria can then colonize.

How to Maintain Oral Health When Kissing

The act of kissing has its benefits and risks, and it can ultimately affect your oral health. Follow these tips and best practices your gesture has no unintended consequences:

Avoid kissing babies directly on the lips to prevent putting them at risk for tooth decay.

Do not kiss someone if you — or they — are ill or have any mouth sores present.

Maintain optimal oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth twice daily, flossing once daily and visiting your dentist every six months.

It's in everyone's best interest to maintain excellent oral and bodily health. Keep in mind these risks and benefits of kissing on oral health, and feel good about sharing this intimate gesture safely!

Kissing can transmit many germs, including those that cause cold sores, glandular fever and tooth decay.

Saliva can transmit various diseases, which means that kissing is a small but significant health risk.

It’s not all doom and gloom. Research into passionate kissing has uncovered many valuable health benefits.

Your comment ….??

Illnesses caused by viruses that can be transmitted during kissing include:

Colds – also known as upper respiratory tract infections. Many different viruses can cause the common cold. Colds are thought to be spread by direct contact with the virus. You could catch the cold from airborne droplets or by direct contact with secretions (fluids and mucous) from the infected person’s nose and throat.

Glandular fever – also known as the kissing disease. Glandular fever is the common term for a viral infection called infectious mononucleosis, caused by the Epstein-Barr virusThe virus is spread through saliva and infection occurs through contact.

Herpes infection – viruses that are considered part of the herpes family include Epstein-Barr, varicella-zoster (causes chickenpox) and herpes simplex (causes cold sores).

Herpes simplex virus can be spread through direct contact with the virus when kissing.

Herpes is most easily spread to others when the blisters are forming or have erupted. The virus can be ‘shed’ (spread to others) from the site of blisters even when they have healed. Chickenpox is easily spread from person to person by direct contact, droplets or airborne spread.

Hepatitis B – kissing may also transmit this virus, although blood has higher levels of this virus than saliva. Infection can occur when infected blood and saliva come into direct contact with someone else’s bloodstream or mucous membranes.

Mucous membranes line various body cavities including the mouth and nose. A person is more likely to be infected when kissing if they have open sores in or around the mouth.

Warts – warts in the mouth can be spread through kissing, especially if there are areas of recent trauma.

Don't let the potential dangers stop you from kissing. Just be sure to practice good oral hygiene before you begin.

Happy kissing!!!