Move Over, Mono: Another Kissing Disease?
Posted on May 13th, 2026
If you’ve heard about (or experienced) mononucleosis, often shortened to “mono” or “the kissing disease”, you might think it can’t be compared to gum disease in any way. However, there is one trait these infections have in common.
According to pathologists, mono is caused primarily by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and it’s definitely something you’ll want to guard yourself against, both because its symptoms “can feel like the worst cold or flu you’ve ever had” and because in some people, EBV can lead to the development of other disorders later in life.
But did you know gum disease, which is the leading cause of adult tooth loss and linked to 52 other systemic illnesses, is communicable in the same way as mono is?
You read that right: gum disease is not only contagious but can be spread through kissing. Along with smooching, common activities like sharing food or eating and drinking utensils can expose you (or your loved ones) to the bacteria that cause the traveling inflammation.
Your Waukee dentists at Lush Family Dental don’t want you to panic over this information, but we do encourage you to remain conscious and diligent about your prevention methods (*cough* oral hygiene *cough*).
If you’ve got any questions or concerns, or you’d like to ensure you’ve been keeping the bad bugs at bay, contact us today to schedule an appointment with Waukee dentists at Lush Family Dental!
The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.
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Dr. Michael Louscher is an Iowa native who grew up in the Northwest Iowa town of Emmetsburg. He attended the University of Iowa and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Finance in 1989. Shortly after graduation, he and his high school sweetheart were married and spent the next few years working in Des Moines and Minneapolis.
Feeling unfulfilled with his current career path, he elected to return to Iowa City and pursue his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. While in school, he and his wife Angi were blessed with their first two children. Upon graduating from dental school in 1996, Dr. Louscher and his family moved to Mason City. He and his wife raised their three children, Blake, Kane and Mary Katherine in Mason City, and he practiced dentistry there for over 22 years. In addition to his successful practice in Mason City, he also served the communities of Belmond and Britt with satellite offices in those locations.
Dr. Louscher and his wife are now excited to start a new chapter in their lives. With their two oldest children also choosing dentistry as their careers, the Louscher family has decided to open a new family dental clinic in Waukee. Their focus has always been on family, and they intend to bring those values to their new practice and to all the patients who they will have the opportunity to care for in the coming years.
Favorite Food:
Pizza
Favorite Sports Team:
Iowa Hawkeyes
Favorite Movie:
A Few Good Men
Dr. Blake Louscher grew up in Mason City, Iowa with his younger brother and sister, Kane and Mary Katherine. He went on to complete his Bachelor's of Science at Central Michigan University while pitching on the baseball team. Following graduation, Blake decided to follow in his father’s footsteps and completed his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 2019 at the University of Iowa.
Some of Blake’s fondest memories from dental school were spending time with his friends and classmates playing intramural sports. His class won the championship in softball and he won doubles darts three years in a row with his roommate! When he is not practicing dentistry, Blake likes to spend his time outside running, biking, hiking and skiing. Blake is looking forward to bringing the knowledge he has gained through his experiences to the Waukee community. Make sure to honk at him if you see Blake running around the area!
Favorite Food:
Sushi
Favorite Sports Team:
Iowa Hawkeyes
Best Talent:
Darts
Dr. Kate is from Waterloo, IA, and graduated from Columbus Catholic High School. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Northern Iowa, where she received a BS in Biology. She then went on to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. It was in school where she met her husband, Dr. Blake.
After graduating, Blake and Kate moved to Des Moines and started practicing. Dr. Kate enjoys learning and staying up to date with continuing education courses. She is a Kois-Trained Dentist. This means she focuses on comprehensive patient care, occlusion-based dentistry. Dr. Kate has also received advanced training in BOTOX for cosmetic and therapeutic treatment.
Dr. Kate and Blake have a 2 year old daughter named Louise, a 1 year old son named Jack and a goldendoodle named Lady. In Dr. Kate’s free time she enjoys reading, cooking, skiing, traveling, cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Katherine (Katie) Louscher grew up and graduated high school in Bettendorf, Iowa. Her next stop was at The University of Arkansas where she played soccer and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Master’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology. She then went on to complete her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Iowa. Since graduation, Dr. Katie has been practicing and serving the community in Richmond, Virginia. She came back to Iowa to be close to family and join the family practice, and looks forward to serving the Waukee community.
In her free time, Katie is an avid runner, having ran the Boston Marathon in 2024 and 2025. She loves to cheer on the Arkansas Razorbacks and Iowa Hawkeyes, read thriller novels, cook new recipes, and spend time with her husband Kane.