Tip for Caring for Your Dog’s Teeth

Oral hygiene is often overlooked when it comes to canine health, but a few preventative measures can help your dog live a longer life.

Dog’s mouths may be cleaner than humans’, but that doesn’t mean our pets are immune to problems from plaque buildup and dental decay. Left unchecked, oral disease can wreak serious havoc on your pet’s health, but preventative measures can help keep your veterinary bills low and ensure your companion lives a longer, healthier life.

Oral hygiene affects more than your dog’s dental health. In addition to chronic pain that dental disease causes pets, buildup of bacterial in the mouth can lead to more serious and even life-threatening conditions if left untreated. Infections of the mouth can enter the bloodstream, leading to heart, kidney or liver disease. These problems are easily preventable with some simple measures, such as brushing your dog’s teeth and routine veterinary check-ups and cleanings.

One of the best ways to maintain Fido’s oral health is to regularly brush his teeth. This may sound excessive to pet parents not familiar with the practice, but cleaning your dog’s teeth a few times a week takes only minutes and can help him live a longer life. Most pets find tooth brushing off-putting at first, so it is best to start brushing your dog’s teeth from an early age, if possible. Start by choosing a time when you can make brushing his teeth part of your dog’s regular routine, such as after a frequent trip to the dog park, when your pet will be well exercised and easier to handle. Start slowly, even if it is just for a few second, and build to brushing Fido’s entire mouth over time. Speak in a soothing tone and remember to reward your pet with a treat to make the experience pleasant for your booth, and soon tooth brushing will be just another part of your pet’s day. Try to brush his teeth at least a few times per week.

To help keep your companion’s teeth squeaky clean, you can also invest in chew toys and dry dog food that help remove plaque and tartar between cleanings. Crunchy kibbles, raw hide bones and other chew toys designed to help remove buildup around the teeth can help curb bacterial growth that can lead to gum disease and dental decay. Though these are effective measures to help to keep Fido’s mouth healthy, they are no replacement for professional cleanings, so be sure to complete your companion’s dental care routine with regular visits to your veterinarian’s office. Your vet should perform a dental exam during your dog’s annual check-ups, allowing him to catch and dental disease early. He should also perform a full cleaning, addressing hard-to-remove plaque and tartar build-up. This helps prevent potentially painful and costly health problems down the road, leading to a longer and healthier life for your pet.