Much like their human parents, dogs are susceptible to dental health issues. Poor dental care routine can cause tartar buildup, gum problems, and the weakening of teeth. Dental problems in dogs can also be potentially life-threatening as they can lead to kidney and liver diseases.
In this post, we give you 8 important dental care tips to maintain your dog’s teeth.
Choose a Toothbrush Size That’s Suited for Your Dog
This one is critical and will determine whether the brushing session is effective and comfortable. If you are in doubt, it's best to choose a brush with a smaller head size as they are less likely to cause pain and they usually allow precision brushing. Try the finger brushes as well as a regular dog toothbrush to find the best tool for the job.
Get Your Dog Used to the Routine At An Early Age
Getting your dog used to brushing is best when done early. It may be difficult to force a dog to endure a session of brushing after it reaches adult size. Dogs are also more trainable when they are young and they usually develop a grumpy temperament after they reach senior age.
Prescription or Non-Prescription Dental Diets
Some dry kibbles have a rough texture which helps in cleaning your pet’s teeth. Thanks to their dryness, they are also much less likely to stick to your pet’s teeth and cause tartar buildup and gum infections. Stay clear of sticky and soft dog food and instead choose dry prescription or non-prescription dental dog food.
Choose Chew Toys That Gently Clean Your Dog’s Teeth
Encourage your dog to chew on chew toys specially designed for cleaning teeth. These toys usually have bumps and protrusions that help in scrapping the tartar off your pet’s teeth. A lot of dental toys are flavored or have special pockets to hide treats. This motivates dogs to chew on the toy and thus getting a better teeth-cleaning benefit.
Don’t Underestimate Bad Breath
Bad breath in dogs is a definite sign that their current oral care routine is not effective. Bad breath can only be an indication of a periodontal problem, but it may also be a sign of kidney and liver disease. This means if the bad breath continues in spite of you taking care of your dog’s oral health, it’s best to consult a vet to detect the underlying problem.
Choose a Tasty Pet Toothpaste
This simple pet care tip is probably the most useful when it comes to brushing your pet’s teeth. No matter how you do it, there is almost always a bit of resistance when you are trying to brush your pet’s teeth. Unless, of course, if you choose a high-quality flavored toothpaste. Don’t worry if your dog ends up licking most of the toothpaste off. These are designed in a way that they are perfectly safe if ingested by pets. Choosing a tasty toothpaste will turn the brushing session into a joyous occasion for your pet, which will make your job a whole lot easier.
Choose a Water Additive to Freshen Your Pet’s Breath
Water additives are great for killing off the bacteria in your pet’s mouth. They don’t do anything if your dog’s gums are already infected or if the teeth already have plaque buildup. However, these additives slow down the growth of bacteria and thus prevent future periodontal problems.
Speak to a Vet About Dental Polishing and Scaling
If your dog doesn’t like brushing or if it already has a serious tartar problem, then it makes sense to speak to a vet about dental polishing and scaling. Vets usually put dogs under general anesthesia and then scales the teeth in one session. These dental polishing and scaling treatments are really effective as vets use specialized tools to remove tartar and polish your pet’s teeth.
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