We all know how painful a cavity or bleeding gums can be, now imagine how it would be if your dog had to face such issues and was unable to tell you. No responsible pet owner would want to see their pet in any pain or discomfort nor would they want any problems to arise due to poor dental hygiene. In this blog, we will cover the importance of your dog’s dental hygiene, ways to prevent tooth decay, plaque build up, cavities and corresponding more detrimental health concerns.
Why Is Dental Care Important for Dogs?
Beyond the basic concerns of poor dental hygiene like plaque, tooth decay, bad breath, eventually loss of a tooth, poor dental hygiene can also affect your dog’s overall health if not addressed in time. Poor canine dental care can also lead to many other health conditions like heart disease, kidney disease and poor liver function.
Understanding Dental Disease in Dogs
One of the primary reasons to keep your dog’s teeth clean is to prevent dental disease. Anything from bad breath, to swollen or bleeding gums, gum infections, difficulty eating and general discomfort fall in the category of dental disease.
Common Signs of Dental Problems in Dogs
Many of you may notice early signs like reluctance to eat, pawing of the mouth or bad breath. If you address these signs when you first see it happen, you can prevent your pet from something more severe later. Here are some other signs to keep an eye out for
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Bad breath
- Yellow/brown tartar on the teeth
- Red or swollen gums
- Drooling
- Difficulty chewing
- Pawing at the mouth
- Loose teeth
- Reduced appetite
How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Teeth?
You should brush your dog’s teeth everyday. It is also advised that you get your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned at your vet’s at least once a year for big dogs and every 6 – 9 months for smaller breeds.
How to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth at Home
First, get your dog comfortable with the smell of the toothpaste and the motion of the of your finger or soft cloth their gums.
Step-by-Step Dog Teeth Brushing Guide
1. Choose dog-safe toothpaste and toothbrush: At all costs, avoid human toothpastes as they contain substances that are toxic for your canine companions. Instead, you should use an enzymatic dog-safe toothpaste. Use a silicon finger toothbrush or a pet toothbrush to brush your pet’s teeth.
2. Let your dog get comfortable with brushing; If this is your first time cleaning their teeth, get them comfortable with the process by rubbing their gums with your finger or a soft clean cloth.
3. Lift lips gently and brush along the gum line: While cleaning their gums, lift their lips gently and avoid being too rough or press too hard as that could lead to bleeding of the gums.
4. Focus on outer tooth surfaces: The outer surface of the teeth is most prone to plaque and tartar and that’s where you should focus. Avoid being too aggressive. Brush in a circular motion to get as much plaque off.
5. Reward your dog after cleaning: You could reward your pet after cleaning with a tiny treat. You could also give them a good belly rub and praise them after you’re done.
Choosing the Right Toothbrush and Toothpaste
While choosing a toothbrush for your dog, pick one with softer bristles and a longer handle to access the furthermost part of their mouth. Silicon finger brushes are very popular, are gentle on their gums and do a thorough job cleaning the gums and teeth. It is important to choose toothpaste for pets only and avoid human toothpastes at all costs as they are extremely toxic to animals.
Professional Dental Cleaning for Dogs
As pet parents, although you might be brushing their teeth regularly, one trip to the vet for a professional teeth and gum cleaning is recommended to take off any tough plaque or tartar from your pet’s teeth. Vets perform a comprehensive gum and teeth examination followed by scaling, polishing and x-rays in case of dental problems.
When Does a Dog Need Professional Teeth Cleaning?
Your dog may need professional teeth cleaning if you notice the signs of discomfort like reluctance to eat or loss of appetite and constant pawing of the mouth. Other signs include:
- Bad breath even after regular brushing
- Gum inflammation or bleeding
- Severe tartar build-up
- Facial swelling
- Visible mouth swelling
- Loose or wobbly teeth
- Signs of discomfort (pawing the mouth or reluctance to eat)
Benefits of Regular Dog Teeth Cleaning
There are more benefits that you can imagine from this small routine for your cuddly pets. Regular brushing provides the following benefits:
- Fresh breath
- Healthy gums
- Preventing loss of teeth
- Elimination of chronic pain
- Early detection of subsequent dental problem
- Improved quality of life
- Better overall health
How to Prevent Dental Disease in Dogs
In order to prevent your dog from getting any dental discomfort or disease, here are a few practices you can incorporate in their daily routine:
● Daily Dental Care Routine for Dogs:
If you haven’t started brushing your dog’s teeth yet, here’s a routine to help get you started.
- Start with using a dog-safe dental paste and brush with soft bristles to keep your dog’s teeth clean.
- Check your pet’s teeth for tartar, foul breath or changes like loose teeth or bleeding gums.
- Give your dog vet approved dental chews to support their dental health.
- Check for signs like pawing of the face, reluctance to eat or loss of appetite.
- Book an annual appointment with your local vet for your pet’s dental check.
● Dental Chews and Toys: Do They Help?
Dental chews and toys are very helpful in keeping your pet’s teeth clean, however they should never replace brushing. As brushing is more focused and can indicate if there is dental discomfort than chews or toys. Choose vet approved dental chews specific to your dog, this is important to avoid choking or gum bleeding.
● Diet and Its Role in Dog Dental Health
A balanced diet supports your dog’s overall health and improves their immunity and gum health. Avoid giving your dogs soft and sticky food as that leads to tartar and plaque build-up.
Dental Care Mistakes to Avoid
It’s easy to make mistakes if you’re a first-time pet owner. But let’s look at what are strict “no-no’s for your pet.
- Human toothpaste: Using human toothpaste is not only toxic it is a health hazard and can be fatal if used on your pet.
- Bad breath: Ignoring bad breath is very risky as you could be overlooking an important dental issue like gum or tooth infection that could be causing your pet pain and discomfort.
- Aggressive cleaning: Although brushing is important and must be done every day, avoid being too aggressive. Being harsh on their gums or teeth can cause bleeding and further infection. So be gentle but thorough while brushing their teeth.
- Missing vet check-ups: Get a professional opinion of your pet’s dental health. Your vet may pick up something that you may have missed while brushing. Avoid skipping these check-ups, they’re important too.
- Dental treats: Avoid relying completely on dental treats, they only get half the job done. Your attention and care to your dog’s brushing will detect more than what a dental stick can do.
- Cleaning visible surfaces: While cleaning your pet’s teeth, brush and clean their gums too, Plaque and tartar form on their gums too. Remember to be gentle but regular while cleaning their teeth.
Dental Care for Puppies versus Adult Dogs
- Puppies: Get them comfortable with brushing. Most of their teeth wouldn’t have formed until 6 – 8 months. Be gentle as you don’t want to hurt their tiny mouths. Reward them with treats to build a positive routine and keep them excited in the activity.
- Adult dogs: Continue the routine of daily brushing with your dog and schedule an annual visit starting from 1 – 2 years.
- Senior dogs: Check your older dog’s teeth more regularly for signs of tooth decay, infections or loose teeth. Check with your vet in case of loss of appetite or reluctance to eat dental signs that may not be easily visible to you.
How to Make Teeth Cleaning Easier for Your Dog
Here are a few practices to incorporate in your everyday routine with your pets.
- Start early: Introduce the habit of brushing when they’re pups. It will take you more time to get them comfortable with the idea when they’re older.
- Use positive reinforcement: Offer treats, a belly rub or “Who’s a good boy/girl?” after every session. They will love the routine and look forward to it everyday.
- Introduce tools gradually: Let your pet see what you are doing. They are always keen to see, smell or taste anything new before allowing you to start doing anything. So let them.
- Choose the right timing: Don’t wake your pet up just to brush their teeth, but ensure they’re calm and relaxed when you get started. Ensure you keep a good break before their meals so the taste of the toothpaste doesn’t interfere with their meal time.
- Keep the sessions short: Avoid overdoing it and putting your pet off the exercise completely. Start with 30 seconds and get them used to the process.
- Be patient
When to Visit a Veterinarian for Dental Issues
If you notice any physical signs of pain or discomfort, it is important to seek your vet’s advice and take prompt corrective action. Some issues that are persistent and do not stop after a day or two should be brought to your vet’s immediate attention. Those issues include:
- Bleeding gums that are profuse and don’t stop after a day.
- Foul breath that persists even after daily brushing.
- Swelling that is noticed around the mouth or eyes.
- Refusing to eat any meal or treat.
- Seeing signs of pain like whining, pawing or drooling uncontrollably.
- Noticing loose teeth.
- Continuous discharge of pus or blood from the mouth.
FAQs
● How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?
You should ideally brush your dog’s teeth every day. It’s good to get your dog comfortable with brushing, as it is helpful in the long run and helps you keep a track of their teeth health and check for inflammation, breath and tartar build-up.
● Can I use human toothpaste for my dog?
No, you should never use human toothpaste as it is toxic and extremely unsafe for dogs. The ingredients in human toothpaste are toxic and can cause serious health concerns and can be fatal. Use only toothpaste specifically for dogs, which is safe to swallow and comes in appealing flavors.
● What is the best way to clean a dog’s teeth at home?
The best way to brush your pet’s teeth at home is with a dog-safe toothpaste and a long stemmed toothbrush or silicon finger brush with soft bristles. Be gentle but brush the gums and teeth in a circular motion.
● Do dental chews replace brushing?
Dental chews can help to reduce plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth but cannot replace brushing. Brushing is more effective and physically removes tartar and plaque from forming on the teeth when done regularly.
● Why does my dog have bad breath?
Bad breath is the result of gum or oral infection, tartar or plaque build-up. If your dog is getting brushed regularly and is still suffering from constant bad breath, it is probably something that you might want to get checked by your vet.
Conclusion
Brushing your dog’s teeth and gums regularly is very important to keep your dog comfortable and healthy. Regular brushing gives you a good indication of any discomfort or potential dental issue. Get your pet comfortable with this small but crucial routine for their overall health and wellbeing.
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