If you have a dog in your home, you need to consider your dog’s dental health as much as you consider your own dental health. This is to ensure that your dog will be a healthy and happy dog. Just like humans, dogs can get tarter build-up, gingivitis and gum disease.

Oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs today. To prevent dog oral disease it is essential to provide your dog with good dental care.

Why is dog dental health important?

• Food particles and minerals from saliva harden to become plague. Plague or tartar develops under the gums and may carry infection. Infection in the blood stream may cause kidney, heart, or liver diseases.
• Poor dental health is a serious health issue among many dogs. Periodontal disease can be painful and can lead to tooth loss, abscesses, and infection.
• If you dog has severe breath, he may have gum disease which is from a lack of dental care.

Dog dental care

How to introduce brushing to your dog?

Your dog may not be prepared for you to hold his head, lift it up, and explore the inner part of his mouth. In this case, you need to introduce him to the process slowly. Practice brushing everyday. Short brushes at first, you may need not clean it thoroughly. After few weeks, he may then get used to the process and will allow you to clean every part of his teeth. This is not easy you need patience and a lot of it.

Brush his teeth using dog toothpaste. Avoid using human toothpaste because there are chemicals in the human toothpaste that may cause vomiting for your dog. If this happens, your dog will never want his tooth brushed again.

Dental chews may likewise be helpful to keep your dog’s mouth clean. Dental chews may stop the development of plague. However, these dental chews may not reach the gums where dental problems start. It is therefore necessary that brushing be done regularly.

Of course, brushing your dog’s teeth could be a tedious job especially for busy people like you. However, if you want your dog to live with you for a long time, you may need to ensure you take care of his teeth well.

Things you may use to take care of your dog’s dental health

• Three head toothbrush. This is to ensure that you brush all sides in one stroke.
• Finger toothbrush, if you are not comfortable with other toothbrush.
• Dog toothpaste, may option on this one. There are flavored once as well.
• Dog dental gel
• PlagueOff for Dogs
• Dental chews
• Antibacterial dog breath freshener

There are many products on the market to help dog owners keep up with their dog’s dental health. It may not be easy to start your dog on a regimen like this, but it is for his own health.

Our dogs have their teeth cleaned once a year by our vet. The professional veterinary dental cleaning is called a prophylaxis. Under sedation our dogs teeth are examined, flushed to remove bacteria, cleaned and any tarter or plaque is removed.

To prevent dental disease, your dog needs routine dental care at home and by your bet. For more info on dog health care, The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health is a great book for all dog owners!

Photo source:dog-breed-dictionary.co

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