Canine Dental Care: How to do it and Why

Maybe you’ve always joked that you need to do something about your dog’s terrible breath, especially when he wakes you up with sloppy, loving kisses all over your face.  But while actually brushing his teeth may sound downright strange to you, keeping up with your dog’s dental care is about much more than bad breath- it is a question of health.

Caring for your dog’s teeth could actually save his life.  How?  Over time, your dog’s decaying teeth become a breeding ground for bacteria that can enter his blood stream causing dangerous and even life threatening infections.  The best way to treat these infections is to prevent them in the first place through proper dental care.  The most popular ways to keep up with proper dental hygiene for your dog are with dental chews, tooth brushing, and professional cleaning.

Dental chews, sold in many sizes and varieties at any pet store, are dog treats shaped in a way to scrape plaque off of your dog’s teeth as he chews them.  The obvious benefit to these treats is their ease of use.  There is no need to pry your dog’s mouth open and head in with a toothbrush.  Simply give the dog the treat and he will chew on it on his own.  The downside, however, is that these treats are not as thorough as a full brushing session.

When choosing a dental chew, make sure you buy the appropriate size for your dog and that you give the treat no more often than recommended on the label.  Also make sure to select ones without dyes if your dog will be chewing them in a carpeted area.  As with all dog chews, you should supervise your dog while he is eating it.

Another important part of dental hygiene is brushing your dog’s teeth.  Pet stores sell appropriately sized brushes and toothpastes with flavors that will appeal to your dog.  The most important thing to remember when you begin is to introduce your dog to this slowly.  First place a little toothpaste on the brush and allow your dog to lick it off.   This will get him used to both the toothbrush and the taste of the toothpaste.  Slowly transition from this introduction to brushing your dog’s teeth, making sure to use lots of praise.  He may not let you brush all of his teeth the first time, but the important thing is for him to get used to the feel of the brush and learn that it will not hurt him.  Eventually he will get used to tooth brushing as it becomes part of his regular routine.

The final, and perhaps more controversial, aspect of canine dental hygiene is having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally by a veterinarian.  These cleanings, recommended annually by some vets, are much like our own regular dental visits with one key difference: your dog will be placed under anesthesia.  Although most dogs will do fine with this, anesthesia always carries some risk, and there will be a small number of dogs who never wake up.  Your dog’s risk will depend on his age, general health, and other factors.  When considering whether to have your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally, talk to your veterinarian about the possible benefits and risks for your individual dog.

Whether you opt for dental chews, teeth brushing, veterinary cleaning, or any combination of the above, you can feel confident that any step you take towards maintaining your dog’s teeth today will help keep him healthy in the years to come.  

Here is part two on food. I will post more give me time.

Home dental care for your pet is easier than ever and all it takes is a little awareness of the tools available and a reminder of the health problems that can arise if neglected. Although there is alot you can do to ward off disease and other problems at home, regular checkups from your Vet should always be a part of the prevention program. And of course, if you ever see symptoms of problems in between visits, don’t hesitate to get your little friend some professional attention.
 
The most common method of supporting your pet’s dental health is providing some sort of bone (real or artificial) the dog can chew on. This action goes a long way to strengthening tooth structure and can eliminate or reduce plaque buildup. Dogs are natural chewers, so this method of enhancing dental health is easy! Recreational raw beef bones or rawhides are also wonderful materials to keep the teeth structures of your dog clean and free from formation of plaque and buildup of bacteria. 
 
The toothbrush is also a valuable tool in the fight against plaque and other bacterial invaders.

Ask your Vet next time you’re in the office for recommended brushes and toothpastes. Because your pet will no doubt swallow whatever you put in its mouth, it’s not advised to use your own personal toothpaste when cleaning his or her teeth. Homemade pastes are also safe and easy to make, being composed mostly of baking soda. Use caution when trying to brush your dog’s teeth! You should know if you have the kind of dog that won’t tolerate it well. Dental wipes may be be an option in this case, also available at pet supply stores and probably your Vet’s office.
 
From chew toys to toothbrushes, maintaining your dog’s overall health through dental readiness has never been easier! Try these simple techniques combined with regular visits to your Vet’s office for a healthier, happier dog.