Your dogs
hygiene is as important as your own and a dog's teeth should not be overlooked.
Your dogs
teeth and gums still get a build up of plaque and bacteria even when their diet
is healthy. Every time a dog eats, food will collect along the teeth and food
particles build up. Saliva is a dogs natural way to keep a dogs mouth clean but
often it is not enough.
Some dogs
are more prone to oral problems because of poor teeth alignment, recesses in
the mouth (where food gathers), broken teeth or simply hereditary factors.
Some
common dogs oral health problems:
- Gingivitis
- Tooth root infection
- Loose teeth
- Abscesses
- Infections of the
bloodstream causing heart, kidney and liver disease
It's
worth remember that around 7 out of 10 dogs over the age of 3 have some kind of
dental disease. You can help prevent this for your dog by following these tips:
- Give your dog less soft
foods and more dry biscuits, chews and bones which rub the teeth clean and
help promote saliva flow
- Clean your dogs teeth
regularly (twice a day to twice a week) - remember to introduce this when
the dog is still young as older dogs will be less tolerant!
- Teeth descaling needs to be
done at the vets and under general aesthetic but it's a good idea to take
your dog every 6 to 12 months for this treatment
How to Clean your Dog's Teeth
- Choose a soft toothbrush.
You can get doggy toothbrushes such as an 'over the finger rubber mini brush'
but a soft child's brush will do.
- Don't use human's
toothpaste. A special toothpaste or enzyme gel for dissolving plaque for
dogs is a must.
- Gradually introduce your dog
to the concept of having a toothbrush and toothpaste in his mouth. Start
with putting some paste on your finger and wiping it on his teeth.
- A rubber mini brush is best
to begin with
- Brush with a circular motion
and most importantly BE GENTLE!
