Canine dental hygiene is probably more important for dogs than it is for humans. That’s because they don’t just chew with their teeth; dogs use their mouth as a tool for a significant number of actions and activities. If they lose their teeth too early, many dogs are practically handicapped. In the wild, they die very quickly as a result. However, because of a lack of caring for dogs teeth even in modern times, many dogs suffer premature tooth loss that could be easily avoided. Just like humans, dogs benefit from regular cleaning, inspection and dental care. And, a dog with its teeth is going to be a lot happier too.
Here are 5 tips to take care of your Dog’s Teeth
1. Start The Teeth Brushing Young
Most dogs don’t like things being stuck in their mouth that they didn’t put there. However, dogs are also easily trainable if started at a young age. By starting with puppy-age, dogs can be trained to accept teeth-brushing, especially if the toothpaste is flavored and tastes good. In fact, some dogs will feel it’s a treat very quickly and will look forward to the experience if done daily and on schedule. Once they get used to the sensation, it’s all downhill from there as the animal realizes that taste is a treat for them.
2. Dog Chews Actually Work, Use Them
When not working on brushing your dog’s teeth, use dental chews for healthy dog teeth. Dogs naturally want to work their teeth on something, especially when they get anxious. A dog chew provides the necessary texture and ends that cause plaque and bits to come loose and fall off their teeth when chewing. The various nubs will squeeze between dogs’ teeth and that will cause anything stuck to come loose. After that, the dog will lick and swallow everything even remotely smelling like food, so it all disappears. Their teeth stay healthier, and the mess disappears as well.
3. Give Your Dog a Spritz
Dog’s breath will really start to smell like a rotten pond when they have an abundance of plaque and poor dental health. And that can cause them to be neglected. Seriously, who wants to cuddle with a dog that smells like the bottom of a garbage can? Various breath spritzes can help both with a dog’s breath as well as kill off the bacteria and plaque that caused the smell in the first place. The sprays can be simply applied to the teeth and gums quickly. Any excess the dog will lick off and remove.
4. Dog Chew Crackers
Along with the same idea that dog chews provide, dog biscuits and crackers provide both a snack as well as the means for a quick cleaning and breath freshener. Designed to do both, chew crackers are textured like dog chew toys to get in between teeth when they are chewed on. Additionally, they are often minted so, as the cracker is chewed, the dog’s breath is temporarily improved. That gives the dog owner some relief from being gassed to death otherwise.
5. Make Sure to Show for Dental Exams
Again, just like humans, dogs need dental exams and checkups as well. With a professional veterinarian dentist looking at, examining, and keeping track of a dog’s dental set, more problems are going to be caught early and prevented than with no check up at all. Even one oral exam a year is better than nothing at all, and will oftentimes prevent loss of teeth that otherwise occurs and surprises dog owners. Dogs need a deep teeth cleaning at least every six months to really get rid of the residue stuck in between the gums. Otherwise, they will eventually suffer from teeth loosening which eventually fall out while eating hard dog food.
And remember, it’s never too late to get started with your dog’s health. Request an appointment and get started. Your dog will appreciate keeping its teeth longer, and you’ll appreciate better dog breath and not dealing with the ramifications of a toothless dog otherwise. Our team at Animal Care Clinic can help. Call us today!