Dental Care In Dogs

Dental care is also very important and even vital for our four-legged friends. In the past, the ancestors of today’s dogs generally had no problems with their teeth.

This is mainly due to the fact that the teeth of the animals were cleaned from the prey when tearing and eating. Of course, the dog food that is now being given to the animals does not support this cleaning at all. This makes it all the more important that you as a dog owner actively intervene in the dental care of your animal. This includes not only a visit to the vet but much more. In this article, you will find out exactly how dental care for dogs is made up.

Brushing your dog’s teeth?

In any case, you will probably be surprised at first, because brushing your dog’s teeth is a topic on which opinions are divided. There are now special toothbrushes and toothpaste that are specially made for this purpose. By brushing your teeth, you can thoroughly remove plaque, so that dental diseases do not occur in the first place. In fact, some veterinarians now recommend brushing your dog’s teeth every day.

Get your dog used to brushing their teeth

It is important that you get your dog used to brushing its teeth from the start. In fact, it’s best to start as a puppy. At this age, it is possible to get the dogs used to dental care in a playful way, so that this becomes a routine in adulthood and is therefore part of everyday life. However, if you want to start with the dental care of an older dog, it is important that you take a lot of time to get the animal used to it. Be patient and praise your animal so that brushing teeth can be optimally trained.

For example, you should playfully encourage a puppy to open its mouth over and over again. Of course, he should be well rewarded for doing so. The unproblematic opening of the dog’s mouth is of course also very helpful later at the vet to examine the teeth. Of course, even if he has injured himself, which can supposedly happen with a splinter of wood. When the dog opens its mouth without any problems, you can start massaging the gums with your fingers. A brush is not particularly advisable at the beginning. Only if the dog accepts the massage should you try a dog toothbrush. However, introduce your dog to the toothbrush gently and with lots of praise and patience to help calm his fears.

In the future, you should brush your dog’s teeth every day. Make sure you don’t hurt your dog and keep giving them praise. With dental care like this, you can actively support healthy dental health in your dog.

Are there alternatives to brushing your teeth?

Of course, many dogs do not allow their owners to brush their teeth. This is not uncommon, because most animals are not familiar with this procedure. If you have brought an adult dog into the house, it is not that easy to get it used to brushing its teeth, for example. Other dog owners do not believe in this type of dental care and are looking for an alternative.

For example, there is a special gel for dental care in dogs. This has to be applied to the teeth, with no need for brushing at all. This gel cleans dogs’ teeth on the so-called enzymatic basis and removes plaque. The gel also helps prevent the formation of plaque and tartar. Possible inflammation and bad breath are also counteracted. With such a gel, the application is of course much easier than cleaning itself.

There are also special mouthwashes for dogs. These have a disinfecting effect and can be easily and conveniently added to the dogs’ drinking water. With these rinses it is possible to remove plaque from the tooth surface. Of course, such a solution has the main advantage that your dog disinfects its mouth cavity again and again throughout the day.

If both variants are not suitable for you and your animal, you should use your dog’s natural instinct for herb care for dental care. There are now different chewing articles that care for the teeth of the animals themselves while chewing. With these products it is possible to mechanically clean both the teeth and the gums. Furthermore, the formation of saliva is stimulated, which protects the gums and teeth. There is also dog food and various feed additives which, thanks to individual enzymes, change the pH value of the saliva and thus reduce plaque.

There is also the possibility to support the dental health of your dogs with special chew toys. This toy is made to support dental health and affected dogs suffer less from dental problems than other animals. However, it is important that this is chosen carefully. For example, the chewing toy for dental care should be adapted to the size and age of the dog. Furthermore, it is extremely important to pay attention to good quality.

When should you take your dog to the practice for a dental check-up?

As with us humans, it is just as important with dogs to always keep an eye on their teeth. Once tartar or tooth decay has built up, the problem spreads. Even if the dog doesn’t seem to be in pain and the teeth look normal, it’s important to have them checked at regular intervals.

As soon as your darling is in pain, no longer eats properly or the teeth have too much plaque that can no longer be removed, you should of course urgently go to your veterinarian. This also applies if your dog’s gums have changed and are, for example, swollen or very red. But even if the gums have lost their healthy pink color and look very white, it’s still better to have a vet check it out.

The change of teeth in dogs

Dogs, like humans, are born without teeth. The first teeth come through between the 3rd and 6th week of life. The first dentition, the so-called milk dentition, consists of a total of 28 teeth. The change of teeth now begins between the 4th and 7th month of life and is often not even noticed by the owner. This permanent set of teeth consists of 42 teeth. Some dogs have problems in the form of pain when changing teeth and therefore the need to chew on things, especially at this time. As the owner, you should therefore provide special chewing toys to make it easier for your dog to change teeth.

In addition, it can happen that the permanent tooth appears next to the milk tooth. Since its tooth root is not destroyed, it does not fall out, resulting in double tooth attachment. Due to this incorrect position, the other teeth cannot grow in the right place and become crooked. This problem often occurs, especially in smaller dog breeds. Even now, it is very important that you see a veterinarian. Unfortunately, in such a case, the extraction of the milk teeth is unavoidable, because when the new and vitalizing tooth erupts, the milk tooth must have fallen out in order to provide the necessary space.

This is how you can make it easier for your dog to change teeth:

• Do not play tugging games with your dog during the change of teeth.
• Osanit beads not only help babies, but also dogs. Give your dog 4-5 pellets twice a day. These are available in pharmacies without a prescription.
• Fresh willow twigs have an anti-inflammatory effect and soothe pain. You can pass these branches to chew.
• Provide chews (beef ears, tripe, kong).
• Some dogs like it when you massage their gums as they are often itchy.

Conclusion

Dental care in dogs should never be underestimated. Whether it’s brushing your teeth every day, giving them special food, chews, gel, or other products, there are many ways to support your dog’s dental health these days. Despite the care, you should still have your teeth checked by the veterinarian at regular intervals. Dogs with healthy teeth have less bad breath and are healthier, so dental care will definitely pay off.