Dog Dental Care

Dog dental care plays a very vital role - not only in your pup’s dental health, but in their overall health as well. This is because oral problems that happen to your furbaby can cause other problems for their health as well.

Now, how would your teeth look and how would you feel after not brushing your teeth for a couple of days or weeks? Your pup’s teeth are no different from yours!

This is why in this article, we’ll talk about the many forms of dog dental care and other important reasons why the dental health of your furbaby matters most.

Some degree of dental disease. The early signs of dental disease in pets include bad breath, yellow tartar buildup on the teeth, and red and swollen gums.

This is the reason why early detection and evaluation of your dog’s dental health is very important. If left unattended, dental diseases may worsen, cause inflammation & infections, and may greatly affect your furbaby's quality of life.

Maintaining healthy teeth

There are some things you can do to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and as recommended by the RSPCA Pet Insurance, it must be a regular and consistent activity. You can:

Begin with an oral exam.You can schedule an appointment with your vet to have your pup undergo an oral exam. Oral exams may include x-rays to evaluate the condition of your furbaby’s jaw and teeth roots.

Go through a thorough dental cleaning.Most diseases happen below your pup’s gum line, which is hard for you to see. This is why thorough dental cleaning is needed. Dog dental cleaning is not the same as the dental cleaning we go through. Theirs will be performed under anesthesia as it might hurt. The cleaning will include scaling (removal of tartar and plaque) and polishing.

Note: Before any dental cleaning, your vet will evaluate your furbaby first if they are fit and okay to undergo the procedure. As your pet will be going under anesthesia, it is important to make sure your pet won’t be at risk.

Signs your pup may have some dental issues

Check if your pup has the following:

• Loose or broken teeth
• Bad breath
• Discolored teeth
• Excessive drooling
• Unusual chewing when eating
• Food suddenly dropping out of their mouth when eating
• Signs of discomfort and uneasiness when eating
• Painful sore in or around the mouth
• Reduced to no appetite at all
• Swelling gums or areas around the mouth
• Presence of blood in the mouth
• Sudden aggressiveness or irritability when the mouth is touched

These signs are the early signs that your dog may have teeth problems or periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the inflammation and infection that occurs in your furbaby's periodontium (the tissues that surround and support the teeth), caused by bacteria. This is why you should take action as soon as possible.

Staying on top of your dog’s dental care every day

As there are tips on how to maintain healthy teeth in the long run, there are also ways you can do to keep your furbaby’s dental care in its optimum health every single day.

Do regular brushing. Your dog can’t brush their teeth all by themselves so it’s going to be a team effort. Go with a toothpaste and a toothbrush that is specifically made for dogs. Brushing your dog’s teeth once every day is ideal but if their teeth and gums are healthy, brushing three times a week is okay and can already make a big difference!

Note: As the American Kennel Club (AKC) notes, you'll want to get your dog comfortable with you touching his mouth and teeth first before you come at him with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

Use dental sprays. Make sure you use dental sprays that are natural and specifically made for canines. Dental sprays will help minimize and prevent dental plaque and building-up tartar. Plus, it gives your furbaby a minty-fresh breath for even more slobbery kisses!

Opt for dog food formulated for dog oral care. There are dog foods in the market that are made and formulated to support dog dental care and health. These types of dog food may help reduce the buildup of plaque & tartar and may also help freshen up your furbaby’s breath for more slobbery kisses!

Provide Gnawtlers®. Gnawtlers® are premium elk and antler chews that greatly help in keeping your pup’s dental health in tip-top shape. These chews are good at strengthening your pup’s teeth and stimulating their mind. They are also considered to be safe, do not splinter or break easily, do not have any added dyes or flavorings, and are jam-packed with nutrients compared to other chew options in the market.

The dog dental care tips mentioned will help you maintain a proper care routine for your dog and be able to stay away from teeth and gum problems. Help your dog keep their teeth strong, those gums healthy, and that breath fresh for more adorable licks and kisses!

What does a healthy mouth look like?

To know which methods or ways works best for your dog’s mouth, you should be able to know what a healthy mouth should look like.

• Your furbaby's teeth should be clean and free of plaque and tartar (hard, scaly or sticky discolorations)
• Teeth should be intact; not broken
• Tongue must be moist
• Mouth must have no presence of any lumps, sores, or cuts
• Gums should appear salmon pink; not pale pink
• Breath should not be odor-smelling