Flossie Posse,
Do you kiss your dogs on the lips? I do, I'll admit it. Well, I kiss them on their noses, really, but their noses are pretty close to their lips. I'm not sure why I do this, given the fact that I know what they do with their mouths. There is not a week that goes by when Nyla, the younger of my two Jack Russell Terriers, brings me something dead. Sometimes I think it was dead when she found it and sometimes I know it wasn't. Regardless, she does not discriminate and is very proud of her treasures. The old man Jack Russell, Puck, mostly gets in trash and finds bones and other bacteria infested morsels. Either way, logic tells me the old saying that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human mouth can not be true. So I did a little research.
What I did find is that most infections carried by dogs are not transmissible to humans and vice versa. The infections such as staph and strep that they might carry are species specific.
According to ABC news, the bites inflicted by humans on humans are more likely to become infected than bites inflicted by dogs on humans. I was relieved I could not find any research regarding human bites and their affect on dogs. I am sure that news would be bad all the way around.
But is a dog's mouth cleaner based on bacteria counts etcetera? The short answer is no. After all, a dog's tongue is not only used for eating and drinking, but also as a washcloth and toilet paper.
I will probably continue to kiss my dogs. Since I work in a dental office, I am certain that my dogs have cleaner mouths than most dogs. I do brush their teeth with special peanut butter flavored toothpaste. I just try not to think too much about the details.
How could you not kiss this face?
Smooch!
Kristine
Did you know that maintaining healthy gums boosts your immune system by removing the biofilm that forms in the mouth? Biofilm is made up of micro organisms that sticks to a surface or to each other. In the mouth, this biofilm causes gum disease which is recognized by the presence of blood or pus. Untreated gum disease wears down the immune system by creating systemic and ongoing infections in the mouth.
Recognizing and treating gum disease through regular dental hygiene visits and check ups can not only minimize or even eliminate infections, but also boost your immune system by removing harmful bacteria.
Transitory Bad Breath is usually caused by food that you eat such as garlic or onions.
Chronic Bad Breath is the long lasting type that makes people wince.
Bad breath is caused by bacteria building up in the mouth. The crevices in your tongue harbor a lot of bacteria and if not brushed or scraped properly, can become the source of very bad mouth odor.
If you have gingivitis or periodontal disease, you will harbor a lot more bacteria than usual. Bacteria constantly reproduces in your mouth and keeping it at bay requires diligence, the right tools and regular dental visits. Some people are more at risk for bad breath than others. Certain medicines can dry out your mouth. Since saliva keeps bacteria under control, in a dry mouth, bacteria reproduces much more quickly.
Smoking and alcohol can give you bad breath. Ironically, many commercial mouth rinses contain large amounts of alcohol, which dries out your mouth and causes bad breath! Make sure you read the label and use mouth wash that contains no alcohol.
How can you fix bad breath?
Practice Regular dental hygiene Brush your teeth twice a day, preferably three times a day, and floss, too! And don’t forget to scrape that tongue. That’s where most of the bacteria that cause bad breath live.
Drink plenty of water Throw back at least eight glasses of water a day. You can’t make saliva if you are not well hydrated. Cut down on coffee, which not only gives you “coffee breath” but stains your teeth as well.
Change your diet Some foods are tougher for your body to break down than others. Beans, onions and garlic produce gases that cause bad breath. Eat more fresh fruits and veggies. Carrots and apples naturally help to clean out your teeth and your breath.
Change your mouthwash Select an alcohol free mouthwash and use it regularly.