My boyfriends tongue bleeds when we kiss.. WHY?

If your boyfriend's tongue regularly bleeds when you kiss, it is very likely he has a mouth ulcer. When you kiss, pressure is put onto his ulcer, causing it to bleed. Your boyfriend should look in his mouth for any small lumps, which may appear white in color. They could be located on the tongue or around the sides of the mouth. Most common mouth ulcers should disappear within a week or two - if they don't, you should consult a doctor. Don't worry too much about kissing; mouth ulcers are not contagious and are normally stress-induced.

• Types of mouth ulcers

The most common type of mouth ulcer is the minor ulcer, which appears as a small lump and tends to be gone in around two weeks. Whilst they do not pose a serious health problem, they can be painful, and may burn when food and drink is consumed. To prevent these mouth ulcers, you should avoid stress as much as possible and maintain good oral hygiene.
However, there is a more serious type of mouth ulcer - the major mouth ulcer. This ulcer can be around one centimeter is diameter and very painful. It is advisable to seek treatment if you have such an ulcer, as they can take a number of weeks to disappear. They may also cause scarring.

• Reoccurring mouth ulcers

Some people (around one in five) will have reoccurring mouth ulcers - they will continuously contract ulcers as if they were a spreading infection. If you tend to get ulcers more than five times a year, you should see your doctor for treatment. To reduce the number of ulcers you get, brush your teeth twice daily and use a dental mouthwash.