Teach Your Dog Good Dental Hygiene
Years ago, brushing dog’s teeth was virtually unheard of. People just didn’t do that, probably because veterinarians didn’t address that subject much.
However, with significant advances in veterinary medicine we have wide recognition that dogs definitely do need dental care to maintain not only their teeth, but their health.
Now, most dog owners are at least aware of tooth brushing, and while some do it, there are still many who may not realize the significance of proper dental care for our canine friends.
Though they are born toothless, puppies will grow 28 little teeth by the time they reach 8 weeks of age. At the vet’s for a puppy visit, one of the things the vet will check is that all the teeth are coming in, and that the puppy’s “bite” – how the teeth all line up in the mouth when closed – is normal.
Conformational faults like an overbite or under bite are not usually a problem, but knowing this can help an owner care for the puppy’s teeth as it gets older, in case there is uneven wear over time.
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Around 4 to 7 months, puppies begin losing baby teeth, with the adult teeth coming in behind them. Most of the time owners don’t even realize it, but it’s good to have the teeth when the puppy goes in to get spayed or neutered.
Sometime the baby canine teeth – the “fangs” – will get stuck and the permanent teeth will grow in behind them; this can affect the other teeth in the mouth sometimes, so if the vet sees this, they will usually want to remove them while the pup is under anesthesia. It’s quick and won’t cause any lasting pain, since the baby teeth have short roots, but it’s best to get them out.
Once the puppy is an adult dog, there should be a mouth full of pearly whites! At one year of age, it’s rare to see any staining or tartar buildup, though it is possible, especially in small breeds like Yorkies, Poodles, Maltese and Chihuahuas to name a few.
These types of dogs are notorious for having dental issues that can get fairly severe over time, so it’s wise to start aggressive prevention the moment anything like staining or buildup is noted. In general, a year is a good age to begin teaching about the toothbrush, and start a regular dental care regime that should be carried out throughout the dog’s lifetime.
Good dental care from this point on is pretty important, especially for those small and toy breeds mentioned. There are many ways to work on keeping the teeth in good condition, too. Other than tooth brushing, which is good to do at least three times a week if not daily, there are toys and edible treats that promote dental health by the way they scrape away tartar when chewed, plus, there are even special dental diets to help maintain, or improve, dental health.
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to look into those foods for at-risk dogs, who are going to need a lot of maintenance to keep those tiny teeth.
Additionally, there are liquid enzymes to put in the drinking water to prevent plaque and tartar. These products work by changing the pH in the dog’s mouth, which prevents bacteria from setting up house on the teeth, since it’s bacteria in the mouth that encourages the collection of tartar.
These products seem to work very well for some dogs and not so well for others, so trying it for a few months to see what happens is the best bet. There are also dental wipes, dental sprays, tooth sealant coatings (for post-dentistry use on clean teeth), and even a dental vaccine that can reduce dental disease (although there are conflicting opinions on whether it actually works or not).
As dogs starts getting older, it’s quite possible that even with great care, there will still be some tartar and plaque. It’s good to have a dental cleaning and polishing done to remove it all, and make a nice, smooth surface again, where bacteria and tartar will have a hard time hanging on.
This is the time to once again re-establish good dental care, since the teeth will be nice and clean, and you’ll want to keep them that way as long as possible.
The reasons canine dental care is so very important is because sick teeth will contribute greatly to eventually being a sick dog. Tartar buildup left untreated will eventually decay teeth and cause cavities, just like in people. Cavities not only hurt, but they invite bacteria further up into the jaw.
This can cause gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth abscesses, which can be serious, especially if involving the top teeth. The large teeth along the side of the mouth have roots that extend almost into the nasal cavity – if there is infection there, abscesses can go right through, and into the nasal cavity. Additionally, infected, abscessing teeth will smell terrible and start falling out little by little.
But those are some of the more obvious signs that there are dental problems that need attention. Not so obvious are problems such as heart conditions – which can actually be caused, or worsened, by all that bacteria in the mouth entering the bloodstream.
Also, badly infected teeth can add to stress on internal organs and cause kidney disease, from which many dogs unfortunately die. And, of course, having teeth in bad shape like that just plain hurts!
Hopefully this article has shed some light on some of the many reasons why dental care is just as important for our dogs as it is for us. Good health in older age depends on preventive maintenance when younger. A regular dental routine for dogs is essential to hold onto their pearly whites as long as possible, and the time to start that is now!
