It\u2019s something we\u2019ve all heard many times \u2013 the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of its owner. But is that really true, or just an urban legend?
\nAfter all, dogs eat off the floor, drink from the toilet, and don\u2019t seem too concerned with their oral hygiene. But the myth persists, so we asked veterinarian and author Dr. Marty Becker his opinion.
\n\u201cThey raid the garbage can. You know, we give each other a peck on the cheek when we say hello, they give each other a peck on the rear end,\u201d said Becker. \u201cAll you have to do is look, watch, smell and you\u2019ll realize that it\u2019s not true.\u201d
\nHe thinks the myth that a dog\u2019s mouth is clean stems from their practice of licking their wounds so that they heal more quickly.
\nThe good news is, even though a dog\u2019s mouth is loaded with bacteria, the large majority are specific to them and can\u2019t infect a human.
\nSo go ahead \u2013 give your dog a big kiss. But please realize that dog\u2019s teeth and gums need expert care just like ours. They are prone to dental infections, bad breath, and just like in humans, have a very high incidence of gum disease. It\u2019s important to brush your dog\u2019s teeth frequently (unless they are smart enough to brush their own!) and have them cleaned and checked by a qualified vet.
\nAt and Badger Dental Associates, we love dogs (and cats too!) and hope that you give your pets the best care possible. But don\u2019t forget yourself and your human family! Proper oral hygiene at home, including regular brushing and flossing, along with seeing your dentist on a regular basis, can help you keep your teeth healthy for life.
\nWhen it comes to healthy mouths and beautiful smiles, we are here for you. If you have any questions or need to make an appointment, please give us a call at 850-878-4117. Your friends, family and dog will love you for it!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It\u2019s something we\u2019ve all heard many times \u2013 the mouth of a dog is cleaner than that of its owner. But is that really true, or just an urban legend? After all, dogs eat off the floor, drink from the toilet, and don\u2019t seem too concerned with their oral hygiene. But the myth persists, so […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n