Vets and pet owners agree that a soft and healthy mouth is essential for your dog or cat. Whether they like gnawing on their toys or chewing on bones, the health of their teeth is vital to their physical and mental well-being. To maintain a bright, white smile for years to come, owners must make it part of their daily regimen for dental hygiene.
Vet oral hygiene begins with regular brushing sessions between scheduled veterinary checkups. Even if your work schedule does not allow it, you can still do things at home to ensure plaque does not interfere with sensitive teeth and gums.
What Are Plaques and Tartars in Pet’s Teeth?
Plaques and tartars are the two leading causes of gum disease in pets. Plaque forms when bacteria build up on the surface of your pet’s teeth, producing a film with an acid that erodes tooth enamel and irritates gum tissues. It also causes bad breath.
Tartar is formed when plaque calcifies and hardens into rough deposits that attract even more plague and calcium to form lumps called calculus (also known as tartar). Like Five Oaks AH, a veterinarian can only remove it through dental cleaning, tooth brushing, or other home care options. Some pets may also develop abscesses due to infections caused by these buildups.
But you have to remember that dental health is just a part of your dog’s overall health care. You should also take care of their vaccinations, diet, etc. Click here to know more about your puppy’s vaccinations.
Signs of an Unhealthy Oral Health of a Dog
- Bad breath
- Red, swollen gums caused by plaque or tartar buildup
- Cavities or other tooth decay
- Excessive drooling
- Loose or missing teeth
- Loose, broken teeth that are not painful to the animal
- Inflammation around the mouth and neck areas
How to Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Clean
1. Start with Brushing
Make brushing your pet’s teeth an essential part of their daily care routine from day one of having them in your home. If you have already created this habit and they are not used to it yet, be patient and kind as you introduce the brush into their mouth for short periods at a time.
- Begin by using a simple, soft-bristled brush. Avoid toothpaste with any flavoring or added sugars as they can be harmful to their health. Brushing can be pretty stressful and uncomfortable for them through the initial training phases. You must be patient to ensure the experience stays positive until it becomes routine. Some animals become accustomed to the feel of a soft sponge or washcloth dipped in the water you used during previous grooming sessions.
- As you gain your pet’s trust with the toothbrush, begin brushing in short, gentle strokes. If you can, brush their teeth after every meal to prevent plaques from building up on their teeth.
- Be sure to go underneath the gums and in between each tooth, where plaque and tartar can build up most quickly. When brushing, be thorough in these areas, especially around the canine teeth (fangs), as they are harder to reach when your dog is relaxed.
2. Give Good Toys for Your Pet to Chew On
Good chewing toys and chews help remove plaque from your pets’ teeth. Chewing also relieves boredom and promotes the proper chewing motion to use all of your pet’s teeth.
Suggested chew toys include:
- Dog bones – just like rawhide, dog bones help remove tartar from your pets’ teeth as they gnaw on them over time. Choose from various flavors and textures to keep your pet interested in chewing.
- Kong toys – this type of toy allows you to fill the center with treats or paste for added stimulation during playtime. You can also freeze these toys before giving them to your pet, which keeps the paste or treats fresh until they are ready for it.
- Treat balls – treat balls allow you to hide tiny pieces of their dry food in the ball for extra stimulation as they try to extract it. This is an excellent game for dogs when they seem restless or bored.
- Nylabones – Nylabones are durable, long-lasting chew toys made from nylon. These are great to use as they can stand up to constant gnawing without splintering or tearing apart.
3. Good Diet Can Help Your Pets’ Dental Health in Many Ways
When you provide your dog with a balanced and nutritious diet, this promotes good oral health. Some of these include:
- Beef. It helps stimulate saliva production in dogs, which naturally cleans their teeth. It also contains certain enzymes that help break down tartar on the surface of the teeth.
- Salmon rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. This can help keep gums and mouth tissues strong and healthy. This protects your pet from periodontal disease and holds their breath fresh.
- Pumpkin. It is high in fiber, which helps remove loose food particles stuck between your pet’s teeth. The fiber also reportedly reduces plaque buildup by attracting water in the mouth when it is eaten.
- Cheese. Cheese also contains calcium that can strengthen your pet’s teeth over time by rebuilding the enamel that has been worn down by plaque buildup. Ensure they eat natural cheese rather than processed to avoid negative health consequences from ingesting too much sodium or additives.
4. Visit Your Vet Regularly for Dental Cleaning
Schedule regular appointments with your veterinarian. Your large or giant breed dogs should have their teeth cleaned every six months, smaller breeds of dogs should have cleanings once annually, and cats need to visit at least twice a year.
The entire procedure may include:
- An examination of your pet’s mouth
- Tooth clipping where needed
- Ultrasonic scaling, which uses vibrations to remove tartar and plaque
- Fluoride treatment that helps prevent further decay.
- Ear cleaning if necessary since the buildup in the ears is also common in pets.
- Polishing if tartar has been removed by scaling. The teeth are examined again after being polished for any residue that remains.
Choose a reputable vet, such as this dog dentist Kinston area, to ensure your pet’s dental health.