Assuming the kiss is consensual and appropriate:
1. A clean mouth is a lot more pleasant to kiss. Brush and floss regularly, and freshen up just before a kiss. Sometimes a quick 30 second mouth rinse can be helpful.
2. Your mouth needs to smell fresh. Odors in your mouth are not just from what you ate the last few days. Gum disease (gingivitis, periodontitis), bacterial overgrowth in the mouth, acid reflux conditions, stomach disorders, mouth and sinus infections can cause unpleasant odors that cannot necessarily be masked with mouth rinses or mint drops.
3. Moist lips feel nice when kissing. But you don't want greasy or sticky lips.
4. Avoid mouth to mouth contact if there is a gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis). The bacteria of the gum disease can spread through saliva.
5. Cold sores are caused by Herpes Simplex Virus and are contagious even if you don’t have symptoms!!! Don’t kiss anyone if you have signs of developing cold sores (tingling of the lip), blisters on your lip or nose area, or a scab. You remain contagious up to several days after the scab falls off.
Nancy Azizi DDS,
Founder of Vineyard Dental Spa
If you are considering a more beautiful smile, contact our office to learn more about our treatment options and schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizi.