Do you brush your dog’s teeth? Many dog owners assume that a dog’s teeth get cleaned by eating hard kibble or chewing on bones. For most dogs, however, that isn’t enough. Like people, dogs need regular dental care including brushing at home and professional cleaning at a vet. Dogs can develop dental diseases if proper dental health is not followed. Over 80% of dogs over three years old have active dental disease.
Signs of dental problems
Dogs experiencing dental pain and discomfort may show symptoms. Some dogs paw at their mouth to try and relieve the pain. Other dogs are reluctant to eat bones, treats, and hard kibble. Dogs may also have sensitivity around their face or mouth being touched. Dogs with dental disease or pain may display behavioral changes and irritability. For example, dogs may have reluctance playing. Another sign of dental problems is bad breath. If you notice signs, schedule an appointment with your dog’s veterinarian. The vet’s full dental examination of your dog determines what, if any, treatment is needed.
Teeth brushing
The best way keep your dog’s teeth in the best condition is to brush them regularly. Daily brushing is actually ideal, but we know it’s not always realistically. Some brushing is better than no brushing. Whatever amount you can work into your schedule improves your dog’s overall dental hygiene. When brushing your dog’s teeth, use toothpaste specifically made for dogs. Human toothpaste doesn’t taste good to dogs and contains ingredients that may make dogs sick (e.g. artificial sweetener xylitol, which is toxic for dogs).
Dental chews
If you’re not up for brushing your dog’s teeth or your dog finds tooth brushing unpleasant, give your dog dental treats and chews. These treats improve your dog’s breath and break down tartar and plaque on their teeth. To know how frequently to give the chews follow instructions on the packaging and recommendations from your vet.
Chewing clean toys
What dog doesn’t enjoy playing with toys? All dogs spend significant time playing with toys, especially chewing them. This activity helps stimulate your dog’s gums. Frozen bones and nylon chewing toys are the two most common dog chew toys. So next time your dog is chewing on its toys, they may actually be helping their dental health. Just ensure that the toys are clean.
Broken teeth
One common issue that requires dental treatment for dogs is cracked or broken teeth. Dogs can crack or break teeth in a variety of ways, including just chewing on dog bones or hard toys. If you notice changes to your dog’s teeth like cracks, breaks, or chips, schedule an appointment with the veterinarian. A vet assess the best course of action. In some cases, advice may be to wait if the tooth is mostly intact and your dog isn’t in pain or needs dental surgery to remove the tooth.
Professional teeth cleaning:
Think of it like humans: we brush and floss at home daily and go to the dentist regularly. The same is true for our dogs. In addition to cleaning your dog’s teeth at home, professional dental visits are also important. Your veterinarian should examine your dog’s teeth at their annual wellness visit. If there’s a need for a cleaning, they should let you know. A cleaning is typically a separate appointment where your dog undergoes general anesthesia. Your vet examines of your dog’s teeth which may involve x-rays, scaling the teeth, and polishing.
At-risk breeds
All dogs need their teeth cleaned regularly and can be at risk for the buildup of plaque and tartar. However, some breeds of dogs are more predisposed to dental issues. Tiny dogs, particularly toy breeds, are more prone to dental issues than large dogs, especially as they age. In addition, brachycephalic breeds of dogs, meaning dogs with flattened noses, are more likely to have dental issues. There’s a higher likelihood that smaller breeds have tooth crowding.
Although common, dental disease is also very preventable. Introduce your dog to toothbrushing as early as possible and make it a part of your dog’s grooming routine. Also, don’t skip annual wellness visits with your dog’s veterinarian and follow their recommendations of more involved professional cleanings and dental work.
