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Is French Kissing Dirty?

Published in Intimacy Health 2 mins read

French kissing, also known as tongue kissing, can be considered unsanitary because it involves the exchange of saliva, which can harbor germs.

Potential Hygiene Concerns with French Kissing

The act of French kissing itself isn't inherently "dirty," but it does involve the sharing of saliva, which can transmit germs and bacteria. According to the provided reference, "Tongue kissing transmits germs from one mouth to another through saliva." Here's a breakdown of why this might be a concern:

  • Transmission of Germs: Saliva is a body fluid that can carry various microorganisms. When you engage in a French kiss, you are essentially transferring these microbes from one mouth to another.
  • Oral Hygiene: If one partner has poor oral hygiene, such as gum disease or a high bacterial load, those pathogens can be passed on through the saliva.
  • Disease Transmission: The reference notes that sharing saliva can be unsanitary if "you share saliva with someone who has poor oral hygiene or has some kind of disease transmitted by body fluids." Diseases like the common cold, the flu, and even certain sexually transmitted infections can potentially be spread through saliva.

To mitigate these concerns:

  • Practice good oral hygiene.
  • Be selective with kissing partners.
  • Avoid kissing when you or your partner are sick.

Summary

In summary, French kissing can be unhygienic due to the transmission of germs and bacteria through saliva, especially when there is poor oral health or a pre-existing illness. While the act itself is not inherently "dirty," it’s essential to be mindful of hygiene and partner choices.

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