Let's face it, the main concern with most wounds is bacteria, NOT gross smells or dirt, which is common in a dog's mouth. So all you "ew, dogs eat gross things and smell" people are wrong, that's no basis to say a dog bite is worse. No matter what the commercials say, brushing your teeth does NOT kill bacteria. Dog saliva DOES have antibacterial properties (enzymes) and since they drool, it does wash a lot of bacteria out... But they're still packed with bacteria. Dogs lick their wounds because they don't understand that an alcohol swab is better. :P So don't go looking for a dog next time you get cut. Human mouths contain, as said, human diseases, and we just plain have worse bacteria in our mouths. Usually they're fine when they're just in your mouth and not in the blood stream, but once in you can get lovely things like a flesh eating disease. Mmm.

So yes, kids, don't lick your cuts.