When it comes to looking after our canine friends, we all know that they need a good diet and plenty of exercise and love, but how do we care for their teeth? This article will talk you through the importance of looking after our dogs’ oral hygiene.
Dogs use their mouths for more than just eating; they use them for play, exploration, and tasting their surroundings. It is important that, as owners, we take the time to look after their teeth. Looking after our dog’s teeth properly helps to prevent dental issues such as plaque build-up, tartar, gum inflammation, or bad breath.
One of the most important things for dog owners is keeping their dogs healthy. However, many dog owners will tend to overlook the important area of dog health that is their oral hygiene.
What is Canine Periodontal Disease?
Canine Periodontal disease is something that can often go unnoticed by owners, as the first thing sign is bad breath. You may believe that dogs tend to have bad breath anyway, but a persistent bad breath in dogs shouldn’t be ignored.
Untreated periodontal disease may potentially cause some serious health issues in dogs. This includes tooth loss, painful abscesses and infections that could potentially cause heart disease and permanent jaw damage.
A dog owner can help to prevent this from happening by keeping their teeth clean.
Here are some tips to help you to do this.
Get Hold of Some Dog Chews and Treats
Regardless of what they get hold of, the act of chewing helps to maintain your dog’s oral health. The act of gnawing helps to scrape the plaque in the same way that brushing would. There are lots of different types of dog chews on the market made from either dried meat, bones, rubber, or nylon.
Some dog chews such as Purina Dentalife and Pedigree Dentastix are loved by dogs and their owners as they are delicious and convenient, as well as helping to promote good oral hygiene in dogs.
Regardless of what you choose, with so much choice on the market, you are all bound to find something your dog enjoys!
Brush their teeth
If you ever thought that dogs take good care of their oral hygiene alone, then the idea of brushing their teeth may seem a bit out of the ordinary. However just like us humans would do, brushing your dog’s teeth is an excellent way to help to prevent plaque buildup. You won’t need to brush them every day, although the more regularly you do it, the better.
At first, the act of brushing your dog’s teeth may seem like somewhat of a challenge, but you can train your dog to have their teeth brushed in the same way you would train them to have their claws clipped. Make sure you find a toothpaste that is suitable for dogs. Never use toothpaste formulated for humans, as the ingredients are toxic to dogs.
Dog toothpaste is also available in a range of flavours that they enjoy – such as peanut butter, chicken, or beef. There are also a range of toothbrushes that are suitable for dogs, depending on the size of your animal. Some can be worn on the tip of your finger, or larger, more manual toothbrushes. It may take some trial and error to establish which style of toothbrush is best for your dog, but it will be worth it.
Get them professionally cleaned
One of the best ways to ensure that your dog has optimal oral health is to take them in for professional cleaning at your vets.
During this dental procedure, your vet will remove plaque and tartar from the teeth and polish them. Following this, they will use a dental probe much like a dentist will use on human teeth to search for other potential tooth and gum issues.
Taking your pet for a professional tooth clean will allow the veterinarian to be able to check properly for any other potential issues in your dog’s mouth, as well as being able to advise you best how to take care of your pet’s teeth.