New research has uncovered a surprising link between some everyday health problems and a furry friend in the family home.

A Queensland study has found most people with gum disease also carry parasites in their mouths.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Dog kisses could be making you sick

And for dog owners, the culprit may be a lot closer than expected.

Dr Simone Sleep, a dental researcher and biomedical scientist, made the discovery the hard way.

“I was not expecting a dog parasite to be running around in my mouth,” she told 7NEWS, describing it as “absolute shock, horror”.

A lifelong animal lover who grew up on a farm, Sleep had been battling fatigue, brain fog and gum issues for years before discovering the real cause.

“I don’t think people realise how sick it can make people.”

The mi

See Full Page