Is a kiss just a kiss? RELATED VIDEO CNN's Holly Firfer reports on a study that shows kissing can help prevent cavities Windows Media 28K 80K

(CNN) -- After you eat all those chocolates that you get for Valentine's Day, you might want to reward your sweetheart with a kiss -- the American Academy of Dentistry says that kissing helps prevent cavities.

It may not be as effective as flossing and brushing, but kissing increases saliva flow, and the academy says saliva is an important buffer for tooth decay.

Correspondent Holly Firfer checks in with this report.