Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and you may be getting ready for some kisses to come your way.
At Amundson Dental, even though we’re concerned about cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and lots of salvia, we won’t use this month’s blog entry to gross you out about kissing. Instead, we’ll tell you some interesting facts that you can tell your kissing partner right after they smack one on you!
Anthropologists have argued for years about the origin of kissing. Many now believe that it has evolved from the time when mothers chewed food for their babies and then went mouth to mouth at feeding time. (Well, okay – we might gross you out a little bit!) This action became so comforting to babies that the habit continued even after they could chew for themselves, and then developed into a sign of affection.
Nowadays kisses aren’t just about romantic love. Some parents kiss their children, worshippers often kiss religious artifacts, others kiss the ground when exiting an airplane, and who doesn’t want to have a “boo-boo” kissed when they get a bruise?
However, February 14th is typically the day for a romantic kind of kiss, and if you are craving one, there may be a scientific reason. While this action can promote a psychological response of warmth and affection, it also causes your brain to secrete some important and productive chemicals, such as:
- Oxytocin helps people develop feelings of attachment, devotion, and affection for one another
- Dopamine, which plays a role in the brain's processing of emotions, pleasure, and pain
- Serotonin affects a person's mood and feelings
- Adrenaline increases heart rate and plays a role in your body's fight-or-flight response
But along with that, when you kiss, hundreds or even millions of bacterial colonies are transported from one mouth to the other. And let’s face it – no one wants to kiss a person who has poor oral hygiene, bad breath, or just a generally yucky mouth. So, let’s start with the basics:
- Make sure you brush at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush and fluoridated toothpaste.
- Floss once per day – if you have trouble flossing or are not sure how, please ask! We’ll be glad to show you the ropes.
- Avoid sugary and acid-laden foods such as soft drinks, sports drinks, and candy. (Okay - we won’t tell anyone if you have a tiny bit of candy on Valentine’s Day!)
- Eat a well-balanced diet including lean proteins, healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and fiber.
- If you need to slip in a piece of gum or breath mint, make sure it contains Xylitol, which has been proven to reduce tooth decay.
- Drink plenty of water! This helps to rinse away food particles and staying hydrated is good for a fresh clean breath.
- See your dentist regularly and call immediately if you suspect there are any problems with your oral condition.
Here at the office of Amundson Dental, we want you to have a kissable February 14th and a lifetime of excellent dental health. If you have any questions or need to set up an appointment, please give us a call at (701) 772-0171. We are here for you!