Your dog needs dental care just as much as you do, but most people don’t realize that. Most of us just expect our dogs to have bad breath, and rarely or never brush our pets’ teeth. But taking care of your dog’s teeth and gums is just as important as regular grooming, the right food, and getting enough exercise. If you’d like to make sure your pet stays healthy, pay close attention to his or her teeth. Here’s what you need to know about dog dental cleaning.
Examining Your Dog’s Teeth
The first thing you need to do is keep an eye on things. If you find tooth and gum problems early, you’ll be able to avoid serious problems later. The easiest way to do this is just to look at your dog’s teeth regularly – start when your pet is a puppy, if you can. (This will help your dog become accustomed to the procedure.)
Lift the lips, all the way around the mouth, and look at the front and back teeth both. Do this as closely and carefully as you can, and avoid pinching or hurting your dog. You might have to do it a few teeth at a time, over the course of several days, to get a good examination of everything.
Regular Dental Hygiene
To keep your dog’s teeth and mouth in good condition, you’ll want to get a care routine going. Start with puppies. You can even get them used to dental care before their teeth are fully in, by gently and carefully examining their gums. Puppies will develop baby teeth, which will fall out by the time they’re about six months old. By this time, your pet should be used to brushing and inspections, if at all possible. If you adopt a dog that’s already an adult, it may take a little while to get him or her used to the routine.
Avoid using human toothpaste – it can be toxic to dogs. Instead, choose oral rinses and toothpastes made for dogs. They’ll even be more appealing, since they come in flavors your dog will like. Brush daily if possible, using a finger brush and working the mouth care into your daily routine. You can even brush your dog’s teeth just before or after you brush your own.
Dogs Who Won’t Let You Brush
Not all dogs will be willing to cooperate with brushing, especially older ones who have never had their mouths examined or been part of an oral hygiene routine. If you find that your dog isn’t willing to put up with brushing, you can choose a dental treat made to clean your pet’s teeth, or an oral rinse made to help keep dogs’ teeth in good conditions. Be sure you have a professional cleaning from time to time. This is a major procedure, however, so it’s best to brush if you can.
You’ll also want to regularly have your dog’s teeth checked by your vet. Be certain to have a routine exam performed every six months to a year. This will help your pet stay healthy in the long run. Keep an eye out in between checkups for signs of a problem. If you see your dog looking reluctant to chew, drooling more than usual, or being less interested in food, these could be signs of significant dental problems. Aditionally, if your pet’s breath is very bad, if the gums are red, puffy, or bleeding, or his or her teeth appear broken, coated in brown or yellow tartar, or otherwise unusual, get to the vet right away.
The Dangers Of Dental Disease
Dental disease can be very dangerous in dogs if it’s allowed to progress. What starts out as plaque that’s not brushed away turns into hard tartar, just like in humans. Tartar provides a haven for bacteria to grow and eat away at the teeth, and irritates the gums. The end result is problems like bad breath, tooth damage, and sore gums. Teeth can be lost, and abscesses can form, too. However, it’s not just the mouth that’s affected by dental disease.
If you allow your dog’s dental disease to progress unchecked, not only will he or she lose teeth, but other parts of the body could also be affected. The same bacteria that cause oral problems could eventually lead to kidney, heart, and other organ problems. Abscesses in the mouth can spread and cause real infections elsewhere in the body. A sore tooth could turn into a big problem.
The best thing you can do is to prevent dental disease by providing proper hygiene. However, that’s not always possible (some older dogs have existing damage) and sometimes it doesn’t prevent all issues. If that’s the case in your situation, immediate vet care is the best option. As soon as you notice an issue, make sure that you get it treated.
Treatment
When problems do occur, your dog will need to be treated by a vet. Most dog dental problems require general anesthesia, since we can’t ask our pets to sit quietly and open wide. In many cases, extraction of the offending tooth is required. Antibiotics may also be administered. In some cases, you may need to talk to a veterinary dentist, who performs specialty procedures.
The right care can help keep your dog’s teeth in great condition. Don’t skimp on canine oral hygiene – take the time to take care of your pet.
