Every dog owner should be aware of the importance of oral health and how it can be an indicator of other issues. On their own, bad teeth can cause a lot of problems when it comes to the health of your dogs including dog bad breath, loss of appetite, and so on.
The first step to make sure you get a clean and healthy mouth will be to get a dental checkup. You don't need to look for a doggy dentist as every vet is trained in doggy dental hygiene. They can thoroughly examine your dog’s teeth and mouth. If possible, try to arrange to have their teeth cleaned both above and below the gum line. Your vet will suggest you a tried and tested pet dental care plan you should use to start cleaning your dog’s teeth at home. You will be provided with the best dog teeth cleaning products and dog toys for teething puppies along with the best tips on brushing your dog’s teeth.
How often should I brush my dog’s teeth?
If you have a dog, make sure that cleaning their teeth becomes a part of their daily routine. Try to include this habit from as early as possible because older dogs that aren’t used to brushing might not be so enthusiastic at first. However, with time and a little persistence, it becomes a natural part of their routine.
How to take care of your dog’s dental health and get them to brush teeth every day?
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Taking care of your dog’s dental health is easy and can be done in a short time. Choose a time when you and your dog are relaxed, and stick to that time every day. In the initial stages, don’t use the brush, instead just hold your dog as you would while you’re petting them and stroke the outside of their cheeks gently with your finger for a few minutes. Afterwards, you can reward them with praises and appropriate treats.
Once your dog is comfortable, place a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and brush their teeth gently.
The next step would be to introduce the brush. Simply put a tiny amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush, raise your dog’s upper lip gently, and place the brush against their upper tooth. Gently brush that particular tooth in slow circular motion, and then switch your attention to the gum-line.
Day by day increase the number of teeth that you brush but be sure to go slowly and stop as soon as your dog becomes uncomfortable. Try to aim for about 30 seconds of brushing on each side per day. Always be sure to reward your pet with lots of praise and the appropriate treats after every brushing session. Even though brushing your dog’s teeth should be a daily habit but missing out a day here and there occasionally should not be seen as an alerting issue.
Why is dental health important for dogs and what are the symptoms?
Dental diseases in dogs are one of the most common reasons for diseases. Improper dental health can cause discomfort, severe pain, and sometimes even shorten their life. This happens because of the constant bacterial attack on the liver, kidneys, and the heart as well as due to chronic gum infections and periodontal diseases.
Some of the signs that your dog has improper dental health are:
- Difficulty in chewing
- Bad breath
- Calculus and tartar build-up on their teeth
- Chewing with only one side of their mouth
- Gum recession and premature tooth loss
- Red and swollen gums
- Bleeding of the gums
- Excessive weight loss and decreased appetite
Village Vets – Always providing high-quality dog dental health
At Village Vets, we treat dog dental health as an important issue because being an experienced team of Dublin vets, we have seen it all. Frequently we get cases of dogs who suffer from diseases because their dental health wasn’t taken care of. However, everyone who consults us is provided with the best advice and tips on how to take care of their dog’s teeth.
We provide advice on every minute detail from the type of toothbrush to use to the brand of toothpaste that will be best for your dog. We also have a stunning pet health plan that you can subscribe to and your dog’s dental health care will be a part of that package.