Just like for people, dental care for dogs is important in preventing dental problems such as plaque and gingivitis, and should include a healthy diet, daily brushing and regular check-up.
As dog parents, we should provide our dogs a good canine dental care program to ensure they have strong and healthy teeth, since poor dental health can lead to a lot of health problems not only limited to the mouth but also to other parts of the body, such as the heart, liver, and kidneys.
However, in spite of the importance of maintaining dental health in dogs, it is estimated that a majority of dogs (about 80%) over the age of 3 have some form of dental or gum diseases, and the main cause is a lack of dental care provided on a regular basis by their dog parents.
To give you a clearer picture as to how serious canine dental problems are among dogs of all breeds, look at these figures: Tooth extraction was the number 3 reason for surgery in dogs in the year 2009, while the number one reason for pet health insurance claims in 2010 was periodontal disease.
Giving good and regular dental care to our dogs not only helps prevent dental and other health problems, it can also save us money in the long run since veterinary dental treatment is not cheap!
If you are looking for information on canine dental care, you have come to the right place! This page looks at the following topics:
As mentioned above, canine dental problems can have various adverse health effects on the whole dog. Visit this page to read more on this topic.
Plaque is formed when debris (such as food particles) trapped along the gumline is not removed. Plaque can easily harden to become tartar in a matter of days. Therefore, to prevent plaque from turning into tartar, it is imperative that we brush our dogs' teeth, preferably every day, but at least 4-5 times a week.
Tartar is formed when plaque is combined with the minerals in the dog's saliva and becomes hardened. When there are hardened substances along the gumline, it is easy to imagine that the gums will be irritated and over time become red and inflamed. When this happens, the dog has developed a gum disease called gingivitis. At this point it is necessary to visit a veterinarian for the removal of the tartar.
If the tartar is still not removed, it continues to accumulate along and under the gums. Eventually, the gums will recede and pull away from the teeth, forming an opening between the teeth and the gums. More debris will be collected in the opening, encouraging bacteria to grow. If the dog's gums are allowed to deteriorate to this stage, the dog is said to have periodontal disease and the damage to the gums and teeth cannot be reversed - the dog's teeth will loosen and fall out. Often, this causes a great deal of pain to the dog. In addition, other complications can arise (e.g. development of abscesses).
Small breed dogs (e.g. chihuahuas, toy poodles, pomeranians, etc.) are more prone to develop periodontal disease due to the small size of their mouth - usually the teeth are too crowded in the mouth to be kept clean and debris-free. However, bigger dogs can just as easily develop periodontal disease if regular canine dental care is not provided.
If your dog suffers from teeth or gum problems, she will show some of the following signs:
If your dog has developed gingivitis or periodontal disease, you should take him to a veterinarian right away to have the tartar build-up removed. Very often, the dog is put under anesthesia for this major dental work, after which the gums will be very sore and inflamed.
Fortunately, a number of herbs can be used to speed up the healing process and to prevent recurrence:
Some herbs are well known for their abilities to promote dental health and fresh breath. For example:
The good news is, all these culinary herbs can easily be fed to your dog. Just sprinkle some of these herbs on his food every day!
Supplements are essential as part of the canine dental care program. The following two supplements which are antioxidants are particularly useful if your dog has dental problems:
This herbal formula contains herbs such as calendula, goldenseal, myrrh, marshmallow and licorice, as well as Coenzyme Q-10 and vitamin C. It promotes oral hygiene and prevents bad breath. It gives good resistance to oral infections, and if your dog's gum is already inflamed, soothes the gum and prevents problems that result from gum inflammation.
We brush our teeth at least twice a day. Why shouldn't we form the habit of brushing our dog's teeth every day as well?
Regular daily brushing is an important part of any canine dental care program to prevent dog teeth and gum diseases.
Learn how to brush a dog's teeth here. You will also find recommendations of some natural effective dental care products that can keep your dog's teeth clean without brushing.
While brushing your dog's teeth, look for warning signs of gum disease such as bad breath, and plaque or tartar around the gumline. When touching your dog's mouth or the gums, do they move away, obviously in pain? Also look closely for signs of more serious dental problems such as swollen and bleeding gums, loose or missing teeth, etc. Any bumps or masses within the mouth should also be checked by your veterinarian.
As always, prevention is better than cure! Besides daily brushing and oral check-up, we should also incorporate the following measures into our canine dental care program:
As much as you can, try to feed your dog a healthy, nutritious and natural diet. Sugary snacks and foods rich in starch are definite no-no!
Include fresh vegetables such as broccoli and leafy greens in your dog's diet. Hard raw vegetables such as carrots can be given to your dog regularly as dental treats.
Minerals and vitamins that are good for your dog's teeth include calcium, phosphorus, vitamins C and B complex. One good source of calcium and phosphorus is brewer's yeast.
Raw bones are also rich in calcium. In addition, they contain probiotic bacteria and enzymes that help maintain healthy "friendly" bacterial flora in the dog's mouth. These friendly bacteria keep harmful bacteria at bay before they can multiply in the mouth causing gingivitis and other infections. In addition, chewing on raw meaty bones can mechanically clean the dog's teeth and help prevent tartar formation. Remember to use big organic marrow bones and knuckle bones, and never give cooked bones to your dog.
Oats are rich in minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, as well as vitamins B and E. They are nutritive and support strong teeth.
Other foods rich in calcium include:
Other foods rich in phosphorus include:
Cranberries can also help prevent dental disease in dogs. Research has found that compounds in cranberries not only inhibit the enzymes associated with dental plaque formation, but can also stop the bacteria from sticking to surfaces. Cranberry juice has also been shown to be powerful for fighting cavities by inhibiting the proliferation of certain oral bacteria responsible for dental plaque and periodontal disease.
Have your dog checked regularly by a veterinarian or veterinary dentist for any possible teeth or gum problems.
If you do the above to keep your dog's teeth clean and healthy, she sure will give you a big bright smile every day!