There are lots of ways to keep your dog’s dental health and hygiene in good shape. Every dog is different, which means each dogs needs to keep their teeth and gums healthy can differ. However, what all dogs have in common is that proper dental hygiene is crucial to maintaining their overall health and wellness. This article covers why dental health is important for dogs, how to care for your dog’s teeth and gums at home, signs of dental disease in dogs, and what to do if you think your dog has a dental problem.
- Why dental health is important for your dog:
Keeping your dog healthy means taking into consideration all aspects of their health, including their teeth and gums. The same as humans, dental disease such as gingivitis can be uncomfortable, cause smelly breath, and make simple functions like eating painful and can put you off eating completely this is the same for dogs. Any bacteria that builds up as a result of dental disease can spread to other parts of the body, potentially causing issues in the blood and vital organs. So keeping your dog’s mouth clean and healthy not only helps keep their breath fresh and their mouth comfortable, it can also have a huge impact on their health and quality of life.
- How to care for your dog’s teeth and gums:
- Brush their teeth
Brushing your dogs teeth helps keep their gums healthy while removing plaque and tartar from their teeth. By doing this on a regular basis should help prevent any nasty bacteria from building up and causing problems. To get your dog used to the process allow them to taste the dog-friendly toothpaste. This can help your dog perceive tooth-brushing time as a positive experience as it will help your dog think the toothpaste is a treat. Then, slowly get them comfortable with the sensation of their mouth being touched and the look and smell of a dog-friendly toothbrush so they feel calm, relaxed and happy . Once they’re ready, clean their teeth and gums, making sure you get all the way to the back. This may not be a quick process the amount of time it takes to reach the brushing stage depends on your dog’s comfort level and reaction to the steps that start off the process. While the process for brushing your dog’s teeth is much like what us humans do, make sure you NEVER give your dog any human toothpaste. Some of the ingredients may be toxic to dogs and these products are not tailored to canine oral needs. However, when it comes to selecting a toothbrush, you can choose a child’s toothbrush or one made specifically for dogs, as both options are safe. That being said, toothbrushes made for dogs are the best option as they’re specifically designed to help keep dogs’ teeth clean.
- Ensure your dog is having the correct dietary needs
The type of food you choose to feed your dog usually depends on your dogs preferences, health needs or conditions, allergies, age, breed and dental health. Offering your dog something to crunch on during each meal can help them break down plaque and tartar, this will help prevent gum disease. If you are unsure that your dogs diet is healthy for their teeth and gums seek advice from your vet or if you think your dogs diet needs to be changed slightly, or if there is anything you can do to improve it don’t be afraid to ask the professionals. Finding the right food for their needs is key to your dog’s dental and overall health.
- Regularly check their teeth and gums
To avoid any dental issues progressing, make sure to regularly check your dogs mouth to help ensure you don’t miss any new issues or sources of pain or bad breath. When issues are detected early, the treatment for them is usually less invasive and expensive, which is good news for both you and your dog. Hopefully, your dog won’t develop any dental issues, and these regular checks will simply maintain your peace of mind that their mouth is perfectly healthy.