Have you ever wondered about why kissing is a thing that we do and when it became a popular expression of love? Kissing seems like a strange habit that we must have picked up from somewhere. This Valentine’s Day, you can wow your loved one with some lip-locking trivia.

Why Do People Kiss?

One of the most obvious answers to why humans kiss has to do with the number of nerve endings in the lips. Nerves are packed densely in our lips, making them very sensitive. In short, we like kissing because it makes us feel good.

However, kissing has a place in many different human behaviors and many of them have nothing to do with romantic love or sexual desire. We kiss our friends, our relatives, and our children as a way of expressing love and affection. In fact, it’s been estimated that around 90-95% of human beings across the world engage in kissing behavior is some way or another.

Additionally, kissing is not universal to humans. After fighting with one another, chimpanzees will often kiss as a form of making up. In fact, some chimps will plant a kiss on another to avoid conflict before it begins. Other animals, such as elephants, squirrels, and bears engage in kissing behavior, although scientists aren’t sure of their motives. This proves that kissing is instinctual instead of learned behavior.

To make sure your mouth, teeth, lips, and breath are ready to smooch your Valentine this year, please visit Severance Dental for a cleaning and a checkup. To make your appointment, contact our Severance, Colorado family dental office today.