Debunked Myths

This comforting myth has likely justified countless slobbery dog kisses, but it doesn't hold up to scientific scrutiny. The concept of 'cleanliness' here is misleading—both human and canine mouths contain hundreds of bacterial species specialized for their respective hosts. A dog's normal mouth bacteria could be harmful to humans if introduced into a wound, and vice versa.

Dogs also use their mouths as we use our hands: to explore garbage, investigate other animals' waste, groom themselves, and eat things we'd consider disgusting. While dog saliva does contain some antibacterial compounds, this doesn't make their overall oral environment 'cleaner' than ours.

The myth persists because it alleviates the 'ick' factor and reinforces the emotional bond between owners and pets. The reality is that both mouths are complex ecosystems suited to their owners. While a dog's kiss is usually harmless to healthy people, it's an act of affection, not hygiene—so maybe save the deep kisses for human family members.