(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
DR. TASNEEM Mahmood has gone viral. And all because of kissing, or not to kiss.
No, the Houston-based dentist doesn’t want to discourage kissing. Although that’s seems to be the message on her TikTok video that has caught the attention of 1.2 million views.
Dr. Mahmood’s TikTok take, rather, is about “cavities being contagious”. It wasn’t meant to discourage people from kissing, she told Business Insider Africa.
“Do I think that one should not kiss someone who has a cavity? No, not at all,” said Dr. Mahmood who is based in Houston, Texas. “Having cavities is not a moral failing or should it be used to judge how good a person or partner is.”
She added: “Let’s not forget that cavities are often the result of not brushing and flossing daily, though research suggests some people may be genetically predisposed to getting them, regardless of immaculate dental hygiene.”
“The takeaway message from all of this is: practice good oral hygiene, and you’ll have great control and be on the safe track,” Dr. Mahmood said. “If you’re already brushing and flossing regularly, you’re doing a great job fighting those cavities.”
She said her husband isn’t embarrassed for having a few cavities, “especially since we already took care of them by getting fillings on time. I wasn’t shaming him for having them — we were using our experience to educate people on TikTok.”
Well, do not fear. Or feel ashamed.
Never mind that kissing someone with poor oral hygiene could expose one to bacteria that may cause bad breath, gum disease, and increased plaque build-up.
“New fear unlocked,” said one comment that had nearly 4,000 likes.
So brush up on your oral hygiene habit. It’s never too late. Especially if, like all of us, you love to kiss.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; and Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com/PN
