Dog Teeth Cleaning Protects Your Dog's Health

Dog teeth cleaning is the best method of good canine dental care. It is very effective against plaque and tartar and controls a dog bad breath.

You can actively help preventing many diseases and dog illnesses through a regular tooth brushing session with your dog.

As with humans, good oral hygiene helps to keep teeth and gums of your pet healthy throughout its life.

Veterinary studies reveal that at the age of 2 years about 80% of all dogs show already first signs of dental problems!

 

It usually starts with a build-up of sticky plaque, a yellowish-greyish film that covers the surface of the teeth.

Plaque eventually becomes firm, so called tartar.

If plaque and tartar remain on the teeth, gums become red and inflamed. Bacteria can settle in and cause gingivitis, a painful infection and inflammation of the gums.

If this is not being treated, periodontal disease can develop. This may end in very painful tooth root problems and the loss of teeth.

Bacteria can easily enter the blood stream and will be spread all over the body to cause heart- or kidney problems and liver disease. Bacteria are also responsible for a dog's bad breath.

 

What causes Dog Teeth Problems?

Food

Food containing easily digestible carbohydrates and sugars that sticks to teeth can enhance build-up of plaque and tartar.

For example, healthy dog foods will have a more positive effect on canine oral health.

 

Poor or Non existing Dog Teeth Cleaning Routine

Neglecting oral hygiene leads to plaque and tartar formation and consequently to gingivitis and periodontosis.

Always ask your vet to give your dog's mouth and teeth a check up.

Ask for nurse clinics at your veterinary practice for special dental care promotions and new products.

Try to stick to a routine and clean your pet's teeth regularly on a daily basis.

 

Breed

Usually small, short faced dog breeds have to cope with misaligned teeth and overcrowded jaws.

 

Age

As dogs get older they will have more frequently tooth problems and dental disease.

 

Canine Dental Care and Dog Teeth Cleaning Options

The ideal pet brings tail waggingly twice daily its toothbrush and toothpaste to you, sits with wide open mouth in front of you letting you brush teeth and gums thoroughly... I cannot deny it, there are dogs out there just like this!

 

It may be indeed hard work at the beginning: your dog does not understand what you are going to do, teeth cleaning is a new, unusual procedure that needs to be integrated into the daily dog care routine.

 

So introduce canine dental care and oral hygiene procedures as a special new game and make your dog familiar with the brush and the taste of pet tooth paste.

 

Eventually you should be able to brush and clean his/her teeth for about 2 minutes in circulating movements along all surfaces of a tooth, gently massaging the gums at the same time.

 

Another possible option is feeding special designed prescription diets.

 

The food pieces, or kibbles, are larger in size and less fragile when bitten on than normal dry food particles.

 

The idea is that the tooth bites into the kibble and any sticky film or plaque is wiped off the tooth's surface.

 

Dental sticks have got a slightly abrasive effect and contain enzymatic ingredients that help to dissolve and remove plaque.

In practice it works somewhat, but brushing is far more effective.

Dental sticks and special designed kibbles are certainly an alternative for the reluctant dog that is really hard to handle.

 

Best is to start with dog teeth cleaning early in your pet's life. Young canines are curious on everything new and learn easily.

Chances of already existing build-up plaque or tartar are small.

If your dog has got already yellowish-greyish discoloured teeth, your vet can remove tartar with an ultrasound device and polish teeth, just like the dentist would do in human patients.

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September is Pet Smile Month! See here for further info on canine dental care .

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