Your dog’s oral health is just as important as its overall health. It is important to keep a dog’s teeth clean all the time to avoid a dental disease that might cause complications. Professional teeth cleaning is one way to ensure that their gums and teeth are at their best state all the time. In this article, we are going to discuss dog dental care and why a dog’s oral health deteriorates as well as the causes of bad breath.
Common Dog Dental Problems
Pet owners are often concerned about the odor of their dog’s breath. This is because the most common oral issue in dogs is bad breath. Bad breath could indicate a lot of things, this might be a sign that your dog is in need of periodontal care or professional teeth cleaning. Whatever the cause may be, take them to the doctor if something unusual comes up.
Here are some of the most common oral health problems in dogs:
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease in dogs begins due to bacterial build-up in the teeth and gums. Its early signs are hard to notice especially if you are not paying attention. The symptoms typically include teeth discoloration and plaque. This can be prevented with regular dog dental care and visits to their vet.
Plaque
Oftentimes, periodontal disease begins with plaque build-up. This is mainly caused by poor oral care. Plaque takes place when the debris and food particles that are stuck between the dog’s teeth are not cleaned. Over time, these things grow and begin to form a plaque. A plaque is hardened tartar that can no longer be cleaned by a toothbrush, it requires professional teeth cleaning. With daily brushing of teeth, plaque can be prevented.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis occurs when tartar starts to find its way into the gums. This causes inflammation and irritation in the gums and often comes with bleeding gums. If you notice that your dog is losing appetite and their gums are becoming red and swollen, it’s time to take them to the doctor immediately.
Teeth Loss
A dog might lose a tooth for several reasons, this includes poor dental care. Losing a tooth could be an indication that they are suffering from dental disease and that immediate care is needed. Your dog’s teeth need to be cleaned and brushed every day to ensure that they don’t develop such a disease.
Signs Of Poor Dog Dental Care
Without teeth cleaning and safety precautions to maintain your dog’s oral health, a lot of things could happen.
Here are some of the signs and symptoms that are most likely suggesting that your dog’s teeth are in danger:
Bad breath
Bad breath is very common in dogs. This is usually because of the foods that they eat. But if the odor is somehow way too foul and stinky, it’s probably due to poor oral health. Dogs get bad breath due to the bacteria accumulated in their mouth. You might want to check your dog’s teeth and breath from time to time to see if the odor is a natural smell or a sign of gum disease.
Unusual Eating Habits
Most dogs eat whatever you give them. It does not matter if it is their usual meal or just a dog treat. However, if they started to show a loss of appetite, it’s time for you to be concerned. There are several reasons why a dog would not want to eat, but in most cases, they are not feeling well and something is compromising their health.
Discolored Teeth
This is again pretty normal with dogs due to the color of their foods and treats. But as a pet owner, it is your duty to ensure that the discoloration is not a threat to your dog’s teeth. You might notice a yellow r brown stain below their teeth close to the gums, these are often dental plaque that requires a medical professional to be removed.
Bleeding Or Swollen Gums
Bleeding gums are not easy to notice unless you check your dog’s gums carefully. One way to see if their gums are bleeding is by checking their bowl of water. If you see that the water is stained with blood, your dog might have gum disease. Taking them to the vet right away will allow the doctor to treat your dog before the symptoms get worse.
Excessive Drooling
Drooling is normal for all kinds of dogs. But if the drooling has become excessive and too unusual, your dog might have a health problem that needs to be addressed. According to animal doctors, excessive drooling in dogs could mean that they have a loose tooth, dental abscess, or gum disease. All of these are serious problems that need to be treated to prevent further complications.
Mouth Pawing
Dogs put their paw in their face for several reasons. For younger ones, it could mean that their teeth are starting to erupt. But if the pawing is done by an adult dog, there might be a serious dental health crisis that needs to be solved. Check their gums and teeth regularly to see if the appearance of their teeth and gums are showing that they are healthy.
Dental Care For Your Dog
We all want our dogs, or whatever pet you may have, to live a joyful and healthy life. But in order to achieve this, we need to play our part as their owners to keep them healthy and safe from harm. Listed below are some of the things that you must do to take care of your dog’s oral health:
- Regular vet visits. Visiting the clinic on schedule will not only allow the doctor to diagnose early signs of dental diseases and health problems. It will also play a vital role in their treatment. The earlier the treatment begins, the more chance your dog will have in surviving the disease.
Oral care. One of the most important ways to care for your dog is by brushing their teeth daily. Just like humans, they also accumulate bacteria from the food that they eat. The debris and food particles stuck between their teeth must be washed away to prevent gum disease.- Correct foods for dog. Are you aware that dry foods are much better for dogs than moist foods? This is because dry foods could scrape the tartar in their teeth and help clean it naturally. Dog treats are also very important to ensure that your dog can chew and bite properly.
- Chew toys. Chew toys are specifically designed to promote good oral health for dogs. These toys will keep your dog’s gums and teeth cleaner and free of tartar. For safety purposes, make sure to purchase chew toys that are appropriate to your dog’s size.
Materials Needed
Cleaning your dog’s teeth will require a few things such as follows:
- Pet toothbrush. It is important to use a toothbrush that is specifically made for dogs as their dental structure and teeth alignment are not the same as ours. Dog toothbrushes are different in shape and size to maximize the cleaning routine.
- Canine toothpaste. Dogs must have their own toothpaste too. Toothpaste for dogs is generally safe for swallowing since dogs are often not trained to spit. Do not use toothpaste for humans as the ingredients might intoxicate them.
- Dog wipes. That is right! Wipes for dog teeth are now a thing. If you are too busy to brush your dog’s teeth every single day, dog wipes might help you. Just wipe their teeth and you are good to go.
