Dog Dental Care Information
Dental care is an important thing for dogs for a number of reasons. Though it is much more rare for dogs to get cavities than it is for humans, dogs can still just as easily suffer from issues such as tartar, plaque buildup and gingivitis. As you will know, dogs love to use their teeth. Distinct from humans, dogs use their teeth regularly not only for eating but also for discovery and play, not just when they are little pups. So healthy teeth and gums is essential for a dog's happiness.
Happily enough, though, there are thankfully a few reasons which dog's teeth tend towards being more naturally healthy than human teeth. Dogs, for instance, do not eat much sugary or acidic food. Their teeth are also more narrow and pointy in shape, rather than our wide, flat teeth. This means they grind their food less, and that the food has fewer places to lodge itself into.
With that said, a lack of dental care for your pet can still end up in causing your dog discomfort and extreme pain, not to mention a weighty vet's bill if medical procedures need to take place. So, all in all, it is paramount that you take dental care seriously when it comes to your joyful canine bud.
3 signs of unhealthy teeth and gums
- Deposits on the teeth
- Foul smell and lack of appetite
- Discolouration or blood
By looking out for certain signs, you should be able to tell whether your dog is having any dental issues. If you spot dark deposits building up on teeth near the gums, this will most likely be plaque.
If the mouth is infected, you will also be able to work this out from the foul smell coming from your dog's mouth. With sensitive root issues, this may cause your dog pain to bite and chew. As such, a sign of root disease might be your dog refusing food or at least struggling with eating.
If teeth or gum disease arises, then you might even see blood in your dog's mouth, coming from the gums. You should also watch out for any blood in your dog's food as this is an easy to spot sign of mouth infections. As with human teeth, discolouration is also a big sign of tooth disease. On the extreme end of this scale, discoloured teeth will eventually fall out.
Thankfully, though, there are a few simple things that you can do to look after your dog's teeth.
Top two ways to keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy
As with cats, you can either brush your dog's teeth or introduce dental care products to their diet. Let's take a look at each of these.
Brushing
The number one way to make sure that your dog's teeth and gums remain healthy is by brushing their teeth daily. It's important that you get your puppy used to this process as early as possible in your relationship.If you do not have your dog from puppy-age, then it will be more sensible to build slowly. Start off by simply using your finger to wipe gently around their teeth and gums. Once your dog seems completely comfortable with this, you will be able to introduce a brush.
Brushing your dog's teeth should become part of your grooming routine. It is vital that you purchase toothpaste which is specifically designed for dogs, as human toothpaste will not be suitable and can be toxic. In terms of the brush, you should also try to purchase a tooth brush created for dogs. These will usually be made so that they can be worn over your finger, thus making it easier for you to get into all the necessary areas. If you have to use a tooth brush made for humans, a smaller child-size tooth brush will be the most appropriate.
Dry, teeth cleaning chews and food
Luckily for dogs, they get to chow down on food which can help them out with their dental health! Although some dogs and their owners may prefer wet food, introducing dry food into their diet can be useful in terms of dental care. The dry, crunchy food can help clear away tartar and plaque from teeth.
Similarly, you can purchase dental chews which are not only tasty but have been specifically created for the job of clearing away any unhealthy buildup on your dog's teeth. At Cuddles Pet Store we have a range of dental treats from Greenies, Pedigree and Plaque Busters. This is where chew toys will also come in handy. These options are generally preferable to hard bones which may actually damage your dog's teeth. Though this may not be the case for all dogs, in highly energetic eaters, the risk of the bone splitting also causes a potential for injury in the mouth.
Seek advice from vet
As with all these questions of pet care, prevention is much better than cure. That being said, if you do find that your dog is struggling with their dental care, you should have your dog seen by a vet as soon as possible. A vet will be able to carry out treatment for dental disease. Just as is the case with humans, smaller procedures may simply involve scaling or polishing the teeth clean, whereas more serious treatments may require damaged teeth to be removed under anesthetic.
In addition, vets will also be able to assess what kind of dental makeup your dog has. This can be important information as you devise an appropriate diet, especially when it comes to such questions as whether or not they will be able to chew on bones.