Easy Tips To Keep Your Dog’s Smile Healthy And Bright!
Since 80% of dogs over the age of three have some form of dental disease, dental care should be part of your daily routine. Some of the health problems that can be caused by dental disease include:
- Infections
- Pain
- Weight loss
- Broken teeth
- Gum erosion
- Bad breath
- Chewing problems
- Difficulty swallowing
- Irritability
- Depression
- Cardiovascular disease
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Jaw fracture
- Oronasal fistula
How Dogs Get Dental Disease
Dental disease starts with the overgrowth of thousands of microscopic bacteria that live inside your dog’s mouth. As these invisible bacteria multiply, they form a layer of slime over the teeth. When it’s not removed, the slime transforms into a layer of plaque.
Some of this plaque will be naturally removed when your dog chews, but not all of it. The longer the plaque stays on your dog’s teeth, the greater the chance it will come into contact with the gingiva (the tissue that surrounds the base of the teeth), which can cause the inflammation known as gingivitis.
Furthermore, when plaque is allowed to remain on the surface of the teeth, over time it thickens and becomes tartar. Tarter is very rough so the presence of it encourages more and more tartar to stick to the teeth. You’ve probably heard of this referred to as “tartar buildup.”
Tarter can spread to above and below the gum line. When this happens, it becomes a breeding ground for harmful bacteria to grow and multiply. If you notice swollen gums, bleeding, or bad breath, that is a sign the tarter may be invading your dog’s gum line and causing periodontal disease.
When the tarter is left on the teeth, periodontal disease progresses. It can cause the gums to recede, become infected, result in tooth loss, and can become very painful for your dog. The bacteria can even be absorbed into the bloodstream and result in illness, including decreased organ function.
Signs of dental disease to watch for include:
- Stinky breath
- Bleeding in the mouth or gums
- Loose or broken teeth
- Reduced appetite
- Refusing to eat
- Reluctance to chew
- Chewing only on one side of the mouth
- Dropping toys or food
- Drooling
- Abbesses
- Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth
- Tips for Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums
It’s clear, dental care routine should be an important part of our dog’s care. Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to help keep your dog’s mouth free from dental disease, such as:
- Daily brushing
Training your dog to accept daily brushing with dog-safe toothpaste is one of the best ways to ensure that you keep their teeth and gums healthy.
If you can’t brush daily, dental wipes can also help keep teeth clean and may be easier for some dogs, when you’re traveling, or your pet isn’t feeling well.
- Raw bones
Some people swear that raw bones keep their dog’s teeth clean. Raw bones are typically not recommended by vets and are a personal decision. If you choose to feed raw bones, you will have to evaluate if your dog is safe to with them and ensure they’re not a choking or blockage hazard. When deciding whether or not to feed raw bones, you have to decide for yourself if you think the potential reward outweighs the risk.
- Natural chews/rawhide alternatives
Toys that can withstand aggressive chewers may help remove plaque and prevent tartar. There are even some chew toys on the market designed to help reduce plaque and mild tartar buildup.
- Water additives
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has recommended certain water additives to help reduce the bacteria that may reduce plaque. Their website has a list of recommended products.
- Treats/chews
The VOHC has also compiled a list of chews and treats that help reduce plaque and tarter. They claim that the “regular use of products awarded the VOHC seal of acceptance will reduce the severity of periodontal disease in pets.” Of course, you can also purchase your favorite treats and chews.
- Have your dog’s teeth and gums examined yearly.
Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked every year by your veterinarian who will look for early signs of any problems (including oral cancer) and recommend treatments if needed. They may recommend a professional cleaning.
Keeping your dog’s mouth free from dental disease will help them live a happier, healthier life. By starting young, you can teach your dog to accept their teeth being cleaned much like they do nail trims.
Another word on teeth cleaning, if you want to prevent having your dog to have to go through a risky or painful procedure potentially requiring anesthesia when they’re old, start cleaning their teeth as soon as possible because the statistics of canine dental disease are high.
We hope you find these tips helpful. As always, please feel free to share them with your friends.
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