“Oral” Hygiene

By SAM KNEW, MSW

You may know that water can keep you hydrated, clear up your skin, manage your weight – but who knew it can also help prevent the spread of diseases? It’s true, especially by replacing alcoholic beverages (like girl’s night-out martinis) and even some household hygiene products w ith

it. Liquids containing alcohol, such as mixed cocktails, wines and beers can break down the protective membrane in your mouth that can actually help prevent germs, diseases and infections from entering your blood stream orally. In addition, alcohol can also agitate and/or re-open previous cuts and sores in the mouth, again allowing germs and toxins into your body.

So what are we worried about here, a renegade airborne toxin finding its way into your body through your mouth? Not quite. But it is more likely to occur during, and yes, even after acts of oral sex. That protective membrane (a.k.a. oral mucosa), or in less nerdy terms, the slimy lining of your mouth, is one of your bodies built-in defenses. But it’s not just what your drinking that compromises it.

It might surprise you to know how many individuals instinctually rinse with mouthwash after performing oral sex. But be aware that most mouthwashes have an alcohol level of 6.6 percent to 26.9 percent … that could be almost four times as much as a bottle of beer or a glass of wine.

I’m sure by now you know what the alternative should be. But for those of you that need it spelled out: H2O. That’s right, good ‘ole fashioned water – from the tap or from the bottle, your choice. Water, unlike alcohol, will not dry out your protective oral barrier. However, there are other threats to your mouth’s natural built in defense system. Flossing can create openings along the gum line. The same is true of brushing. The professionals can’t seem to agree on how long exactly one should avoid these activities. However, the general span is anywhere between 30 minutes to four hours before and after sexual activity.

The risk of contracting HIV/AIDS through oral sex is low, yet not low enough to be ignored or compounded with additional risky behaviors. It should also be noted that diseases such as herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and syphilis have an equal or greater risk of being contracted orally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a case study in Chicago linking 13.7 percent of syphilis cases being contracted orally. The CDC also reported that if you are infected with another STD you are “three to five times more likely to pass HIV to someone else than if you don’t have another STD.”

However, we also shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the idea of airborn toxins as mentioned previously. There are other less serious viral infections that enter our body orally. From the common cold to influenza and other respiratory viruses, most tend to first enter our blood stream through the mouth. Although this transmission may be as unintentional as inhaling the particles of an infected person’s sneeze or cough or placing a contaminated hand to your mouth, the threat affects 5 percent to 20 percent of Americans each year. Additionally, 200,000 individuals are hospitalized every year with flu related complications. As a preventative, the CDC recommends washing your hands with soap and water often – so, once again, H2O to the rescue.