Is a dog's mouth cleaner than a human's?
You finally got a pet dog! You got all its gourmet food, expensive toys, and a bed softer than yours. Although, the dog is the meanest to you. He may look like an angel to your eyes, but deep inside is waiting for the perfect moment to bite you. You, unfortunately, wait for this to happen. It happened. Now you are in disgust and pain, as you wonder, Is a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's? Lets pop this balloon to find out!
What is a dog?
A dog is a domesticated animal, which means, dog adapt through breeding to produce food and more. Their species is Canis familiaris. We have been having dogs on our sides for, most likely, hunting and gathering. Dogs have been on our side for the whole human existence. They are carnivores which evolved to a omnivores (a fairly mixed diet). They can see in low light, yet fewer colors than we do. Dogs are one of the very few animals that read our faces and gestures. Unlike other animals, dogs can hold eye contact without treating it like a threat. They are in many breeds, which are only a couple hundred years old.
Is a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's?
No, a dog’s mouth is not cleaner than a human’s. A dog’s mouth is wet and receives food, which is the perfect place for bacteria. Although, a clean mouth has few bacteria not zero bacteria. Yet, 80% of dogs have gum disease at the age 2, which is a worse rate than humans. For some bacteria, it picks the perfect mouth and temperature that fits for them, a dogs mouth, which meets the expectations more than a human’s mouth. So, for us, a dog’s mouth is not dangerous, it is another human’s mouth. We can say, humans and dogs are roughly equal in bacteria. This myth may have come from the fact that dogs have worse dental health, was a myth passed down to make humans feel better about a cleaner mouth, or something to escape from the dentist.
Fun Facts
A dog’s nose print is unique like a human’s finger print. Dogs see in blues and yellows, while they struggle to see in greens and reds. Every single breed of a dog is the same species. Dogs can interbred with wolf and coyotes, but not with foxes which is a different branch of the family.
Sources
International Fund for Animal Welfare – "Facts About Dogs: What You Need to Know"
https://www.ifaw.org/animals/dogs
Trooper Veterinary Hospital – "Debunking the Dog's Mouth Being Cleaner Than a Human's Myth"
https://www.troopervet.com/site/blog/2023/04/15/dog-mouth-cleaner-human-mouth
American Kennel Club – "30 Fun and Fascinating Dog Facts"
