Science File / An exploration of issues and trends affecting science, medicine and the environment

Q: Is a dog’s mouth really more sanitary than a human’s? Many people believe that if you are hurt in the woods, you should have a dog lick your wound because the dog’s saliva contains an antiseptic.

A: A dog’s mouth is no cleaner than yours, according to veterinarian Don Low of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. In fact, dogs lick so many different things that their mouths are probably much less sanitary, he said. Most saliva has a small amount of antiseptic in it, but soap and water would be much more effective to clean the wound and prevent infection.