Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 2/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am doing a project on whose mouth is cleaner a dogs or a humans but I am having trouble finding research information

ANSWER: Dear Wendy,

There may not be a lot of primary research on this particular topic, but you can get a start by learning what bacteria are actually present in the mouth of each species.  For humans:

http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/normalflora.html

For dogs:

http://jcm.asm.org/cgi/content/full/43/11/5470

(Hint:  you can get a LOT more sick from a human's bite than you can from a dog's!)

Good luck on your project.

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dana,
That info was wonderful but far to advanced. This project is for my 12 year old son. Any luck with something a little more simpler.
Thanks,
Wendy

Answer
Dear Wendy,

Ah, okay!  Well, the problem with doing any type of bacterial study is that it *is* advanced, and requires a great deal of complicated equipment to study, not to mention a great deal of detailed knowledge about bacteria and the pathogenicity of various species.

I think this type of project--though it may sound simple--is far too complex for a 12 year old (or even high school), and shouldn't be attempted by anyone who doesn't have a microbiology lab (with all the proper containment) and a lot more background in the area.

Still, there are some people who have attempted to do this, albeit at a very simple level. Here's one reference you might find helpful:

http://www.science-ideas.com/taxonomy/term/4

You'll notice that even this simple version is listed under "advanced" science fair projects.

Hope this helps!  (Or that it at least helps you decide to do a different project, if possible.)

Good luck!

Dana