We’ve all heard dog lovers say that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans. While this idea might make dog owners feel better about receiving a heap of slobbery kisses, it may not be completely true. Scientists now know that the oral biomes of dogs and people can’t be compared fairly. So do dogs have the cleanest mouths?
The idea of dogs having the cleanest mouths is not something that can be proven or disproven with current research. While dogs have fewer types of oral bacteria than people, their dietary indiscretion and risk of periodontitis have an impact on their overall oral health.
Do Dogs Have Cleaner Mouths Than Humans?
The comparison between a dog and a human’s oral biome is challenging. A study revealed that only a small percentage (16.4%) of bacteria found in a dog’s mouth is also present in a human’s mouth. Dogs have a more diverse oral biome than humans and carry over 600 types of bacteria in their mouths, while humans carry 615 or more. The number of bacteria types a dog or human has in their mouth does not determine the cleanliness of their oral biome.
Moreover, the bacteria in a dog’s and human’s mouth are helpful. This means that both mouths are not necessarily dirty; instead, they work as intended. Beneficial oral bacteria can control bad bacteria and reduce bad breath. However, eliminating all bacteria from the mouth can make a person or their dog sick. At the same time, an overgrowth of oral bacteria can negatively affect a dog or human’s gut microbiome, leading to chronic diseases such as IBD. This highlights the importance of balancing the oral biome
Are Dog Mouths the Cleanest in the World?
The idea that a dog’s mouth is the cleanest in the world is actually a myth. While it may be difficult to compare the oral bacteria of different animals due to environmental factors and variations in bacterial types, there is no research to suggest that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than any other animal’s mouth. It’s worth noting that every individual animal is unique, and factors such as diet and hygiene can affect their oral health.
For instance, one dog might have a less-than-ideal diet and eat things they shouldn’t, while another might have their teeth brushed regularly and eat a balanced diet. Similarly, an outdoor cat might prey on animals that carry diseases, while an indoor cat might have a healthy diet and regular check-ups with the vet. It’s difficult to compare a dog with poor dietary habits to a healthy indoor cat based on this factor alone.
Moreover, there is a lack of research on oral biomes in animals, which means that we don’t have enough information to compare dogs’ oral biomes to other species. So while we can’t definitively say that a dog’s mouth is cleaner or dirtier than any other animal’s, it’s important to focus on maintaining good oral hygiene for your furry friends.
Why Are Dog Mouths Dirtier?
Based on their natural oral biome alone, no comparison can be made between how clean a dog’s and human’s mouth is. However, we do know that dogs are at a greater risk of poor oral health. This is because dogs often practice dietary indiscretion, can’t brush their own teeth, and lick all kinds of surfaces.
They Can Eat Anything
Your dog probably tries to eat anything and everything they find. Depending on your dog’s habits, the food that they eat may have an impact on the cleanliness of their mouth. For example, dogs that eat a raw diet may contract salmonella, which can be given to humans. Salmonellosis is not common in dogs, but dogs can shed the bacteria in their stool and saliva. This allows it to spread to other pets and people in the household.
Similarly, you probably don’t want to let your dog kiss your face if your dog eats poop. According to research, dog poop may harbor pathogens like Campylobacter, E. coli, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. So, a dog who regularly practices eating poop is going to have a dirtier mouth than a dog who does not eat poop. The poop of other animals can also transmit diseases and parasites to your pooch. For example, fox poop is known to transmit roundworms, which cause the disease toxocariasis. These are two main reasons that can impact how clean a dog’s mouth is.
Irregular Cleaning
Unlike people, dogs can’t choose to brush their teeth. While this does not mean that your dog’s mouth is naturally dirtier than yours, it does put your dog at a higher risk of periodontal disease. According to studies, up to 80 percent of dogs have some stage of periodontal disease by the age of three, partly because only 2 percent of dog owners regularly brush their dog’s teeth.
When dogs develop periodontal disease, specific types of bacteria take hold of your dog’s oral biome. These include Bacterioides fragilis, Porphyromonas salivosa, and Prevotella intermedia. Interestingly, some common human pathogens that are responsible for periodontitis, such as Haemophilus spp., are completely absent in dogs. This, once again, makes it difficult to accurately compare the canine oral biome to the human oral biome.
They Lick a Lot
Everyone has seen their dog lick something unidentifiable and most likely rancid off the sidewalk. Even if your dog has a healthy, balanced diet, any dog will lick something bad from time to time. This can cause your dog to pick up bacteria, viruses, and parasites that would not normally be in their mouth. Once these diseases are caught by your dog, they may be able to transmit them to you or other pets through their saliva. So, without regular cleaning, your dog may become sick or able to pass parasites on to you. Not good! To prevent this from happening, always do your best to stop your dog from eating or drinking strange substances when out on your daily walk.
You must keep your pet’s living space clean to prevent them from picking up bad bacteria from their environment. Make sure that you regularly wash your dog’s bed, clean their food and water bowls, and keep them well-groomed to prevent infections.
Can You Get Sick if Your Dog Licks You?
It is true that a dog’s oral bacteria cannot survive in a human environment due to the physiological differences between the two. One of the main differences is that a dog’s saliva is less acidic than a human’s, and tooth brushing helps to remove any bacteria from the mouth. Additionally, dogs have good oral bacteria that help to neutralize the bad bacteria. So, while a dog’s mouth may not be “cleaner” than a human’s, it is still important to maintain good oral hygiene for your furry friend.
It is also true that Capnocytophaga is a bacterium that is naturally found in a dog’s oropharyngeal tract, and up to 74 percent of dogs carry it. While most people are not at significant risk of infection, people with weak immune systems can become sick when infected. It is important to note that the main risk of infection is through bites or by licking an open wound. The signs and symptoms of infection include blisters around the bite wound, fever, diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, confusion, and muscle pains.
In conclusion, while it is difficult to compare the cleanliness of a dog’s mouth to a human’s, good oral hygiene is important for your furry friend. Additionally, it is important to be aware of the potential risks of Capnocytophaga infection, especially for those with weak immune systems.