Just like humans, dogs need good quality dental care in order to stay healthy. Many diseases stem from unhealthy gums and teeth, and your furry friends are even more susceptible to them than you are. To prevent tooth decay, tooth loss, and diseases resulting from lack of dental hygiene, understanding the basic prevention and removal of plaque from your dog’s teeth is crucial. Having a trusty local pet supply store and a reputable vet can keep your dog’s teeth squeaky clean and healthy! Here’s how to do it.
What Is Plaque?
Plaque is basically a film of bacteria that forms on the surface of the teeth. It builds up the longer your dog’s teeth aren’t’ cleaned properly. Enough plaque deposits will harden and turn into tartar, breeding even more bacteria and forming hard, crusty bits on the teeth and gums. Enough of this bacteria will cause more complicated problems and plenty of pain over time, so avoiding it is essential to your dog’s health.
Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
Preventing plaque buildup and eventual tooth decay can be done with something as simple as regular tooth brushing. Similar to humans, pets’ teeth should be brushed often. Start with two to four times a week, especially if your dog is still getting used to it, but giving them a brush daily is ideal. Here are steps to brushing your dog’s teeth successfully:
Use a pet-safe toothpaste and a toothbrush appropriate for their size, both of which can be purchased at the right pet stores
Using your finger, touch your dog’s teeth and gums until they are used to the feeling.
Switch to the toothbrush and toothpaste and gently brush your dog’s teeth up and down and side to side.
Give them water to drink so they can rinse their mouth while you clean the brush.
Reward them with pats, praises, or a small treat.
This is the single best way to prevent plaque buildup and all the complications it comes with.
If your dog doesn’t like the sensation of a toothbrush, then another alternative you can try is dental wipes. However, brushing your dog’s teeth is still considered the best option so you can get in between the teeth, so where possible, use a combination of both.
Dental Treats
Most carriers of pet supplies near you will have dog dental treats and chews that will help your dog’s dental care as they enjoy a tasty treat. These treats reduce the build-up of food, saliva, and bacteria on the teeth and gums to keep your dog’s mouth clean and their breath fresh.
Professional Dental Cleaning
For dogs that already have the beginnings of dental disease, a professional dental cleaning will be required. This may have been caused by poor dental habits and led to a severe buildup of plaque to cause periodontal disease.
Dental cleaning is the most effective way to remove plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth. This is typically done under anesthesia in the vet’s clinic and will only take a short while with no confinement required. X-rays will be taken as part of the cleaning process to indicate just how far the issues have gone below the gumline.
Note that dental procedures for pets aren’t cheap, so it’s best to take preventive measures with tooth brushing and dental chews early on.
Conclusion
Owning a pet takes a lot of responsibility, including ensuring their dental health is in tip-top shape. By doing this, you’ll prevent your dog from having a decreased life span, unnecessary pain from infection and tooth decay, and eventual tooth loss. Considering how seriously it can affect the heart and kidneys, doing everything in your power to brush your dog’s teeth will ensure not just a clean mouth but a longer life.
At Wags to Wiskers, we focus on providing our customers with natural, holistic pet foods, particularly for dogs and cats. If you’re looking for healthy pet stores in Ludington, shop our selection today!