Doggy Dental Care

Posted by: Dog Diaries on 20 Apr 2010
Why oral hygiene is as important for pets as it is for people
While you may think that your dog’s bad breath and excess slobber are just as unavoidable as shedding or a propensity to shake off water at exactly the moment you’re closest to him, there may in fact be steps you can (and should) take in order to make getting up close and personal with your toothy pooch more enjoyable.
Dental care in dogs is something that is often overlooked, but in fact is just as vital to Fido’s health and well-being as regular exercise, grooming and good nutrition. Regular attention to your dog’s pearly whites can not only improve those less-than pleasant poochy smooches, but can also prevent serious diseases in other parts of the body.
When tartar or calculus builds up on a dog’s teeth, it provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria which affects the gums and mouth but, more importantly, can travel to the heart, lungs and/or kidneys and put your dog’s life at risk.
Dog Diaries has compiled a series of tips for you to help your best friend keep that million-dollar smile looking its best!
Brush your dog’s teeth
Tartar can build up in as little as 24-48 hours, so we recommend you brush as regularly as possible. Never use human toothpaste, as this can make your dog sick, and try to use a ‘finger brush’ which should make it easier to reach those difficult spots at the back! Obviously, the earlier you start brushing your dog’s teeth, the easier it will become. Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth (teeth that fall out!) and by the time these have gone, it is ideal to have your pup used to the brushing process.
Check them regularly
Check the teeth by pulling up the lips on both sides of the mouth. Things like bad breath, excessive slobbering, red, puffy or bleeding gums can be a sign of dental disease. Also, watch how your dog eats. If he or she is showing a reluctance to chew or is in pain while chewing, investigate the source of the problem and have it dealt with.
Use the products that are available
For those of you who read the teeth-brushing tip and scoffed in disbelief that you’d ever be able to get your dog to allow it, there are other alternatives to losing a finger. There are several specially formulated canine mouth rinses available, as well as a wide range of dental doggy treats to keep tartar to a minimum and promote dental hygiene.
Keep regular check-ups at the vet
Your Vet should perform a thorough oral once-over at your annual check-up, and if an extensive clean is needed can scale, brush and polish your dog’s teeth under anaesthesia to make sure all tartar build-up is removed.

Why oral hygiene is as important for pets as it is for people…

While you may think that your dog’s bad breath and excess slobber are just as unavoidable as shedding or a propensity to shake off water at exactly the moment you’re closest to him, there may in fact be steps you can (and should) take in order to make getting up close and personal with your toothy pooch more enjoyable.

Dental care in dogs is something that is often overlooked, but in fact is just as vital to Fido’s health and well-being as regular exercise, grooming and good nutrition. Regular attention to your dog’s pearly whites can not only improve those less-than pleasant poochy smooches, but can also prevent serious diseases in other parts of the body.

When tartar or calculus builds up on a dog’s teeth, it provides a perfect breeding ground for bacteria which affects the gums and mouth but, more importantly, can travel to the heart, lungs and/or kidneys and put your dog’s life at risk.

Dog Diaries has compiled a series of tips for you to help your best friend keep that million-dollar smile looking its best!

Brush your dog’s teeth
Tartar can build up in as little as 24-48 hours, so we recommend you brush as regularly as possible. Never use human toothpaste, as this can make your dog sick, and try to use a ‘finger brush’ which should make it easier to reach those difficult spots at the back! Obviously, the earlier you start brushing your dog’s teeth, the easier it will become. Puppies have 28 deciduous teeth (teeth that fall out!) and by the time these have gone, it is ideal to have your pup used to the brushing process.

Check them regularly
Check the teeth by pulling up the lips on both sides of the mouth. Things like bad breath, excessive slobbering, red, puffy or bleeding gums can be a sign of dental disease. Also, watch how your dog eats. If he or she is showing a reluctance to chew or is in pain while chewing, investigate the source of the problem and have it dealt with.

Use the products that are available
For those of you who read the teeth-brushing tip and scoffed in disbelief that you’d ever be able to get your dog to allow it, there are other alternatives to losing a finger. There are several specially formulated canine mouth rinses available, as well as a wide range of dental doggy treats to keep tartar to a minimum and promote dental hygiene.

Keep regular check-ups at the vet
Your Vet should perform a thorough oral once-over at your annual check-up, and if an extensive clean is needed can scale, brush and polish your dog’s teeth under anaesthesia to make sure all tartar build-up is removed.

Images by supermans wife and FlwrBx

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