Taking care of your dog's teeth is just as important as taking care of your own. — Dreamstime/TNS
Taking care of your dog’s teeth is just as important as taking care of your own. In addition to routine visits to your veterinarian, there are plenty of important steps you can take at home to prevent dog dental disease.
The American Kennel Club offers the following tips and tricks to make sure your dog maintains a healthy mouth.
It is important to know what a healthy mouth looks like to know when something looks off.
Typically, dogs have 28 total baby teeth, which fall out by the time your puppy is 6 months old, resulting in 42 adult teeth.
Healthy gums are firm and pink, sometimes with black spotting, while their teeth should be an ivory color. Your pup’s breath should also have a neutral odour.
The following are some oral health issues that you may see in your dog and can affect your dog’s health.
> Dog plaque is a sticky layer of bacteria that forms from saliva and leftover bits of food. It is normal and unavoidable.
However, if you don’t remove the plaque with regular brushing and dental cleanings, it can build up on the enamel of the tooth and harden into what’s called tartar or calculus.
> Tartar as mentioned above is made up of various organic materials, such as bacteria, food particles and mineral salts.
If it accumulates, it can cause gum inflammation and disease, loose teeth, tooth decay, abscesses and other oral infections. It is better to catch it while it is soft, as it will be easier to remove than when it hardens.
> Bad breath is a sign of dental disease in dogs. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with what your dog’s breath smells like normally, so you can easily identify if it has changed to a sour, foul acrid smell.
Other signs of dental disease include bleeding or inflamed gums, chewing on one side of the mouth or being reluctant to eat their food.
Dental problems can look different on different sized breeds. Smaller dogs, especially toy group breeds, can be at greater risk for periodontal disease, tartar formation, gum recession, and tooth decay and loss.
Large dog breeds are at higher risk of fracturing a tooth if they chew aggressively, play games like tug-of-war or chew on sticks. Tooth fractures can lead to decay, infection, tooth loss and disease.
Maintaining dog dental care
At home care is incredibly important to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. There are many safe dental care products out there to use when brushing your dog’s teeth.
A dog toothbrush with soft bristles or a silicone brush that fits over your finger are great options to help make your dog the most comfortable during this process.
You will also want to use dog toothpaste that is specially formulated for dogs and comes in flavors like poultry or beef.
If your dog resists brushing their teeth, there are alternative dog dental care routines such as dental sprays, chews, wipes and supplements. – American Kennel Club/Tribune News Service
For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit the AKC at www.akc.org.
