Let’s talk about the importance of your dog’s dental hygiene. The average adult dog has 42 teeth, we only have 32 teeth (not counting wisdom teeth). Just like us humans these teeth are very important to everyday life and survival, and just like us our four legged canine companions (& sometimes the feline variety) occasionally need to see a dentist. Sometimes dental visits are just for a cleaning to catch trouble before it starts, but other times a little more intervention is required such as pulling teeth to keep your pet healthy. Being that teeth are so close to other vital organs such as the eyes and brain, traveling infections are a concern and should be immediately attended to if there is a rising suspicion.
How It’s done
Your license veterinarian will sedate your dog and clean their teeth, including under the gum line where tartar builds up. Tartar can damage your dog’s teeth to the point where they may just fall out or cause gum disease. Gum disease has been linked to heart disease so this can become serious fast, this in itself is a major reason to keep track of your pup’s pearly-whites.
Just like us, frequent brushing extend time between Dental visits. Offering hard foods, such as dry kibble and chews, may also help “brushing” but does not substitute true teeth brushing. dogs that eat soft diets will have to have a teeth cleaning more frequently than a dog who eats a more crunchy diet. Also you may find that smaller dogs are more prone to dental problems than their larger counterparts.
Doggy dental care at home
There are many different items on the market to help with your dog’s tartar build up from additives to their water to chew toys/treats to doggy safe toothpaste, everyone’s heard of Greenies. We definitely want to mention to stay away from rawhide chews though. See our article about the Dangers of Rawhide.
Dental Health Aid Suggestions
Some natural options:
Let’s get started
If you are just starting to take care of your dog’s teeth, it is best to take them to the vet and get their teeth cleaned so you’re taking care of a healthy mouth from the beginning. Also, talk to your vet about their suggestions for dental care at home, they may know of something not listed in this article.
By taking your pet’s Dental Health seriously you may prevent higher vet bills and help your pet live a longer, healthier life.
Let us know what products you use in the comments!