My girlfriend has Celiac’s. If I eat something with gluten while we’re together, or shortly before I see her, I’ll brush my teeth and rinse with Listerine. So far no issues. But, what if I have something with gluten at lunch, but don’t see her for several hours, should I still brush and rinse? Is there a safe time frame where it’s ok to not clean my mouth if I’m not able to?
Celiac’s disease is an intolerance to gluten, not a deadly allergy. An estimated 80% of cases go undiagnosed. Now I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice, but I can find no serious source that suggests gluten transfer through kissing is a real concern.
Still, discuss it with your girlfriend.
I’d think this would be easy to test.
People with celiac disease can usually tolerate small amounts of gluten, and the amount that you might possibly transfer by kissing is minuscule. Probably zero after a few hours.
What does your girlfriend say?
Rinse with anything you want but gluten is not bacteria and Listerine won’t have any discernable effect on it.
If you believe these people, don’t even be in the same room as your girlfriend after eating gluten.
“There is indeed evidence that it’s possible to have celiac disease symptoms from inhaling airborne gluten, even though this is not a question that has been researched extensively. One medical report backs the idea that inhaling gluten, rather than eating a food that contains gluten, can be enough to trigger celiac disease symptoms.1 In addition, there’s ample anecdotal evidence that airborne gluten can cause symptoms, both for people with celiac and for those with non-celiac [gluten sensitivity.]”(Gluten Sensitivity: Overview and More)
“So while airborne gluten has not been proven to cause problems, if you have celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity and continue to have symptoms despite following a gluten-free diet, it makes sense to look for possible airborne sources of gluten in your environment.”
To be safe, better break up with her immediately.*
/sarcasm
*I’m surprised that at the very least, the gluten-intolerant aren’t demanding that fellow airline passengers be screened for carrying gluten-containing snacks or recent gluten intake.
I’m not surprised. The people I know who have celiac disease aren’t the caricatures you seem to think they are.
I think the caricatures are the many people who avoid gluten because it is “bad” for them. They don’t have celiac disease…they’re just on some weird health fad thing.
I will say the people I know who do have celiac disease (two…so anecdotal) have told me that, while those people are nuts, it has had a benefit for them because so many restaurants and foods now label items as gluten free and, there are now more food/dining options for them.
They do exist.
I was thinking of a certain minority of gluten-phobic types possibly being like some mommies of peanut-allergic kids who want to purge any possible traces of peanuts from public places.
I should mention that I have not adopted a gluten-free lifestyle. In fact, in our joking arguments, I like to remind her, “Hey, at least I can eat bread!” And, she is not a gluten-phobic type. She’ll handle gluten products, but washes her hands when done. But, when we go out to eat, we make sure to tell the server she can’t have gluten, and any bread has to be put on a separate plate. We do our best to avoid cross contamination outside the house, and in the bedroom 
Ah, confirmation bias at its finest. Stop eating gluten and your health improves? That’s proof that you were gluten sensitive. Stop eating gluten and your health doesn’t improve? That’s proof that you were really, really gluten sensitive.
Hmm, my friend with celiac disease doesn’t use flour in her kitchen, because it can get everywhere. But she sometimes cooks stuff for other people that contains gluten, so long as there’s not loose dry flour involved. She just uses ordinary hygiene and washes her hands and stuff. And I gather she’s super-sensitive to very small amounts of gluten in her diet.
Let’s see if I’m reading this right. You’re looking for affirmation that you don’t have to freshen your breath after eating anything, like garlic toasted bread, or flaming hot potato chips before you kiss your girlfriend, because the likely hood of gluten being present is very small or nil. Is that right?
Weird loophole you’re trying to wiggle through. Just brush your teeth regardless, your girlfriend doesn’t want your snaggly breath on her regardless of gluten or not.
As much as you want to be, you’re not being oppressed.
That’s not what I said at all. Did you only read the title, or just skim my post?
Dude if you’re going to kiss her, brush your teeth or freshen your breath regardless. What difference does it make if you ate gluten or not?
Who does that?
I often kiss my GF after dinner (or whenever). I cannot brush and gargle Listerine before every kiss.
Certainly if something more passionate is in the works then sure…freshen up.
Edit to add: If we are out to dinner and she has something with garlic in it and I do not she insists I have a bite of her dish so we both have garlic breath when we kiss.
Did you miss the part where I said she has Celiac’s?
ITA 100%.
The OP should ask a registered dietician, or have his girlfriend ask hers. I’m sure they’ve heard this question before.
For most people, gluten intolerance is more of a long-term thing. Peanut allergies are another story, and THAT, I’d understand why he does what he does.
Thanks.