Can kissing lead to gum disease?!

Can kissing lead to gum disease?

my girlfriend went to a new dentist, and i believe he is milking her for her money. she does to the dentist monthly, and on her first visit to a new dentist, he tells her that she has some kind of gum disease and it can be passed through kissing. i have never heard of this, and i would like to see if this guy is just trying to rob us!

Apparently there is more and more evidence that the bacteria that cause periodontal (gum) disease can be spread from person to person. You can lose teeth from it. (It happened to my dad.)
http://www.dentalgentlecare.com/new_page...

Here's more info, from the American Academy of Periodontology:
Periodontal (gum) disease may be passed from parents to children and between a couple, according to an article in the September 1997 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers suggest bacteria that cause periodontal disease pass though saliva. This means that the common contact of saliva in families puts children and couples at risk for contracting the periodontal disease of another family member. Periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.

Up to 30% of the population may be genetically susceptible to developing severe periodontal disease, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. These findings could result in the early identification and treatment of at-risk patients.

Based on this research, The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recognizes that treatment of gum disease may involve entire families. If one family member has periodontal disease, the AAP recommends that all family members see a dental professional for a periodontal disease screening.

A referral to a periodontist in your area and free brochure samples are available by calling 800-FLOSS-EM or visiting the AAP's Web site at www.perio.org.
http://www.perio.org/consumer/webfamilie...

To prevent it, you need to keep your mouth clean by brushing and flossing:
http://info.umc.edu/quiz.php?qid=4...