Dental Care for Dogs is a serious issue, there can be dangerous consequences of poor dental health. Dogs can suffer from tartar, gum disease, and tooth decay. It is important to clean your dog's teeth, or have the veterinarian do it, to prevent dental problems. A toothless dog is not happy with himself, and an infection that starts in the gums can spread throughout the body.
Dental Care should start immediately when they are young. You should be on the lookout for retained deciduous teeth and malocclusion (bad bite) problems. Your Veterinarian can teach you how to care for your doggies teeth and gums early on.
Talk with your veterinarian and arrange a Dental Care program for yourself at home (brushing). Make an appointment with him when it's necessary.
A good dental care program includes:
- Regular visits to your veterinarian, which include an oral exam
- Veterinary dental cleaning as advised
- Daily home oral care
Home oral exam: Look for warning signs of gum disease such as bad breath, red and swollen gums, a yellow-brown crust of tartar around the gum line, and pain or bleeding when you touch the gums or mouth. Any bumps or masses within the mouth should also be checked by your veterinarian.
Daily brushing
Use the following process to clean the inside surfaces of your pet's teeth:
1. Place your hand over your pet's muzzle from the top
2. Gently squeeze and push his lips on one side between the back teeth (to keep his mouth open).
3. Pull his head back gently so his mouth opens
4. Brush his teeth on the opposite side
5. Repeat this process for the other sideThe entire process should only take a minute or two. If your dog or cat continues to resist, try gently wrapping him in a large bath towel with only his head sticking out. Above all, avoid overstraining and keep sessions short and positive. With plenty of praise and reassurance, your dental sessions can bring the two of you closer-a closeness that won't be marred by the perils of dog breath.
6. Home care can be improved by feeding your pet an unmoistened dry pet food and offering him hard biscuits after each meal. Both dry food and hard biscuits produce abrasion to help keep plaque to a minimum on the crown of each tooth.
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