When you’ve had a hard day, you may feel mentally exhausted and discouraged. Your boss might not appreciate you, or you may have other frustrations in life, but as you approach your front door, you hear scratching on the other side. As you unlock the door with a smile, your dog rushes to you, tail wagging furiously. You bend down to pet and play with your fur baby, who is always thrilled to see you and loves you no matter what.
They shower you with wet licks on the face and bring you their favorite toy covered in their slobber. “A dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s,” you repeat the popular saying and shrug, but is this true or just a myth? Should you feel comfortable with your dog’s licks or their slobber on things you touch? Keep reading to learn the truth about dog versus human oral health.
Do Different Species Have the Same Oral Bacteria?
What makes a person or dog’s mouth clean or dirty really depends on the bacteria they contain. While the average dog’s mouth has more than 600 types of bacteria, a human’s typically has about 615—a similar number. However, this statistic doesn’t tell the real story.
Although humans love to regard their pets as their children, facts are that humans and dogs are separate species with different microbiomes in their mouths. In addition to being different animals, dogs and humans use their mouths differently and are exposed to different environments, which can introduce other harmful bacteria into the mix for one that the other may not encounter as easily. While gum disease can afflict both humans and dogs, the bacterial culprit behind the infection differs. Humans suffer bleeding gums and eventual tooth loss from P. gingivalis, and dogs with high P. gulae can suffer a similar fate.
Are Dog Kisses Safe?
Although these gum-inflaming bacteria are part of the same overall family, they are different enough that P. gingivalis should affect dogs, and P. gulae shouldn’t impact humans. With so many types of bacteria, humans and dogs do share some, but many other kinds of diseases, like the flu or COVID-19, also do not pass between these species.
That being said, there are a few conditions that can be transferred, such as salmonella, especially if your dog eats a lot of raw meats or raids their cat sibling’s litter box. In this case, you might want to be careful about dog kisses spreading these specific diseases. Otherwise, your dog can lick you as much as you can tolerate!
How Do You Keep Human and Dog Smiles Healthy?
Oral care for humans and dogs likewise shares similarities and differences. For example, both need regular teeth cleanings at home and with professionals. Humans require daily brushing and flossing, while dog teeth can be brushed less frequently. Every six months, your dentist needs to examine and professionally clean your teeth to stop oral issues from developing, while professional teeth brushings for dogs can occur at least once a year, but more often helps, such as whenever they are groomed.
In the end, you don’t have to worry about getting cavities, gum disease, or most other infections from their wet kisses and slobbery items. But neither should you regard their mouth as cleaner than yours. Wash your face, hands, and items you can so your home remains safe and clean. You may be different, but you and your dog can definitely share a love that makes coming home warm your heart.
About the Author
Dr. Stephen Boyles has achieved fellowship status with the Academy of General Dentistry during his career so far, which places him in the top of the field among dentists in the country. He has the training and qualifications to perform complicated procedures including surgical tooth extractions, dental implant placement, and smile makeovers, but he is just as happy to help you keep your smile health with routine preventive care. To schedule an appointment, click here or call our Midland office at 432-685-7011.