The Doc Replies

If gum disease is caused by bacteria, can it be passed on via kissing?

Gum disease can be caused by bacteria, but generally is not passed on via kissing. We all have plenty of bacteria in our mouths but the main cause of gum disease is due to poor dental hygiene. Generally gum disease is caused by plaque building up on the teeth which then can harbour bacteria. This can cause irritation around the gums, generally resulting in redness and bleeding. It is safe to carrying on kissing, just pay attention to your dental health.

My wife complains of being cold all the time but she almost always has the central heating on.

It is a common complaint that I hear from my patients, it emerges that one partner feels cold while the other feels warm. Often there’s no medical condition causing this, but if someone is cold all the time we often check blood tests for thyroid problems in particular.

When I wash my face or blow my nose I get a shooting pain behind my eyebrow.

The pain behind your eyebrow could possibly be a neuralgia which is the irritation of a small nerve in this area. It could also indicate a sinus problem if this happens when you blow your nose. If it persists it would be worth visiting your GP.

I get a rash when I eat oranges. Could I be allergic to Vitamin C?

It is theoretically possible however being allergic to citrus fruits like oranges is very rare. Those who genuinely are allergic to tend to have more localised symptoms, like a burning sensation in the tongue. I’d avoid oranges in future if you are experiencing a rash.