Candy hearts, roses, and cards, Valentine’s Day is right around the corner! In honor of this romantic holiday, this week on the Sugars End Dental blog we wanted to feature some facts about k-i-s-s-i-n-g – Yep, kissing!
Did you know that kissing is nature’s natural cleansing process? According to the Academy of General Dentistry, kissing stimulates saliva, which washes out the mouth and helps remove cavity-causing bacteria and food particles that accumulate after eating. Here are some more fascinating facts about kissing:
- Philematology is the science of kissing.
- On average, a human will spend two weeks, or 20,160 minutes, kissing in their lifetime.
- Ancient Egyptians kissed with their noses. So did the Eskimos and Asian Pacific cultures- hence why rubbing noses is called an Eskimo Kiss.
- Kissing at the end of a wedding ceremony dates back to ancient Roman tradition and seen as a legal bond that sealed all contracts.
- Starting in the Middle Ages, people who could not read used an X as a signature. They would kiss this mark as a sign of sincerity. Eventually, the X came to represent the kiss itself.
- Kissing keeps facial muscles strong – research says that the average person uses 30 muscles while kissing, and it helps keep your cheeks tight.
- Kissing naturally relaxes you – Scientists report that kissing increases the levels oxytocin, the body’s natural calming chemical and increases endorphins.
- In Naples, Italy in the 16th Century, kissing was an offense that carried the death penalty! (Yikes!)
- A kiss can burn 2 to 5 calories a minute. (Ok, so it’s no bike ride, but it’s something!)
If you have big plans this Valentine’s Day, don’t forget to contact us to make your appointment with Dr. Coakley & Dr. Fowler and the rest of his dental team so we can keep your mouth healthy and happy!