Healthy teeth and gums are crucial to your dog’s overall happiness. A great way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and avoid dental disease is to establish a daily oral care regime.
A beginner's guide to avoiding dental disease in dogs.
Posted by PetDirect on 4th Nov 2020
Plaque and tartar on dog’s teeth
Plaque begins to form on your dog’s teeth after your dog has eaten food. The bacteria from the food mixes with your dog’s saliva and sticks to the surface of their teeth. An off-white sticky substance coats the outside of your dog’s teeth, commonly known as plaque. Within 3-5 days, if the plaque remains in contact with the tooth, it hardens and becomes tartar.
Tartar is noticeable from its brown appearance, which looks rough on the surface of your dog’s teeth. Bad breath and inflammation of the gums also go hand in hand with the build-up of tartar. If the tartar on dog’s teeth is not removed, it can cause many dental issues including gingivitis and periodontal disease in dogs.
Spotting the signs of gum disease in dogs
Dogs are stoic animals and they hide pain well, therefore it is the pet owner’s responsibility to spot the signs of gum disease. Start by providing a weekly check-up of your dog’s teeth and gums, and be aware of the following signs:
- Bad breath – if your dog has bad breath, this is not normal and is almost always a sign of an underlying gum issue
- Bleeding gums – If you notice your dog’s gums bleeding when he chews, or your dog has red gums around the teeth.
- Behaviour – another sign of gum disease can be a change in your dog’s behaviour, particularly if you notice that they are less lively or less willing to play and are becoming reluctant to have their face or head touched. However, after dog dental treatment, your dog is likely to feel so much better that his behaviour returns to normal.
If you spot any of these signs, be sure to seek veterinary treatment for your dog.
Prevention
Establishing an oral care routine for your dog is the most important way to keep their teeth and mouths clean and healthy and protect them from serious dental issues. Ideally start as a puppy, but if your dog is older, you should still begin daily dental care. Have the mouth checked first to be sure all is well before starting.
1. Schedule regular check ups with your dog’s vet
Make sure your dog gets an oral health examination by a veterinary professional at least once a year.
2. Tooth brushing
Daily tooth brushing is the very best way to care for dog’s teeth and gums. Top tip: remember to introduce tooth brushing gradually and follow our step by step guide. Make sure you use a dog specific toothpaste as human toothpaste cannot be used to clean your dog's teeth.
3. Diet
A complete and balanced diet tailored to the life-stage of the dog is essential or their overall health. Dry food can help to clean the teeth as it has an abrasive texture that wipes the surface of the tooth as the dog eats. Specific dental care food is also available.
4. Dental chews
Dental chews and treats help to reduce plaque and tartar build up and promote oral health. There a large range available in different shapes and flavours, so there will be something that every dog will enjoy.
Dogs use their mouths every day to eat, fetch, carry or play. Keeping good levels of oral health allows them to enjoy every day.
Tooth Brushing Guide
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is a great way to keep his gums and teeth healthier and fight gum disease. Introducing tooth brushing gradually will mean he will learn to enjoy the experience.
What you will need:
- A toothbrush with medium bristles and the correct size
- Pet Toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste)
- A quiet place without distractions
- A little time and patience
- Healthy treats as rewards
Some important tips before you get started:
- Keep each session short – from a few seconds to a maximum of a couple of minutes
- Pick a time which suits your daily routine and try to keep it as your usual time to brush. It doesn’t matter when in the day you do the brushing.
- Repeat each stage daily until your dog is comfortable with it and then for a few more days beyond. Then you can move on to the next stage. You may do the established stage first and then continue into the new stage when introducing a new stage.
- Every dog is different – so train at a pace which suits your dog. You can always go back a stage.
- Give lots of praise and healthy treats for good behaviour.
Take care when putting your fingers into your dog’s mouth. We don’t recommend doing so if your dog is likely to bite or become aggressive.
If you have any questions about keeping your dog's oral health in great condition, don't hesitate to reach out to one of Pet Direct's Customer Service Experts on 0800 200 240.