Why Your Dog Needs Dental Care

We all understand how important dental care is for ourselves. Most of us brush daily, and though we may dread it, we go get our teeth cleaned once a year. It turns out that consistent dental brushing and professional cleaning are equally important for dogs. 

A dog with healthy teeth and gums will have pleasant breath. That all-too-common occurrence of doggy breath means that she has some level of dental or gum disease. If left untreated, your dog can suffer from gum pain, infections and abscesses, just as people do. Untreated dental problems can lead to a host of problems. Your dog may become irritable and lethargic because she is in pain. Infections and abscesses can lead to heart disease, and premature death. 

To help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, brush his teeth at least once a day. If you can manage two times a day, that’s even better. Use a quality enzymatic toothpaste that is meant for dogs. Human toothpaste may contain ingredients that can be harmful to your pet. You can use a toothbrush, finger cot brush, or gauze for brushing the teeth.

You may need to spend some time acclimating your dog to getting her teeth brushed. You can start by putting some doggy tooth paste on your finger, and letting your pet lick it. Then put some on a toothbrush, finger brushing cot or gauze, and allow her to lick or chew. Once your pet is comfortable with that, gently hold her head and gently brush her teeth for just a few seconds. Each day, add a few seconds of brushing time until your pet is comfortable with having her teeth brushed for about one minute. 

You need to be concerned with brushing only the outer side of the teeth. A dog’s tongue acts as a brush on the inner side. 

Your pet should also have his teeth cleaned every year. This is true even if you’ve been brushing daily. A professional dental cleaning cleans the teeth much better that you are able. Along with getting the teeth very clean, the canine dentist can check for signs of disease and damage. Dogs are very good at hiding pain, and your pet might have a broken tooth that is not identifiable until a thorough exam and cleaning is done. 

Though it may seem silly to brush your dog’s teeth and to take them to a canine dentist, dental care will help your pet live a healthier, happier, and longer life.