If there is one area of canine grooming that is often overlooked, it is the dog’s teeth. Just like humans, dogs need their teeth cared for and cleaned. Otherwise, they may be at risk of developing gingivitis, periodontal disease, bad breath, and in severe cases, pain, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Dental disease can occur in any dog but is more common in small breeds. A recent study showed that dogs weighing less than 14lb were five times more likely to suffer from dental disease than larger dogs (over 55lb).
Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria that accumulate in a dog's mouth. Gingivitis in dogs is caused primarily by a poor diet and a lack of oral care, though certain dogs with crowded teeth (small breeds) are at greater risk. Food particles and germs build up in cracks between a dog's teeth and gums when they are not properly cared for, causing inflammation and irritation. As germs multiply, they adhere to the teeth and form plaque, which calcifies and becomes tartar. Without adequate cleaning, this will result in periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Periodontal Disease is when your dog’s mouth is infected with a bacteria called periodontitis caused by the build-up of plaque and tartar. When food and bacteria accumulate along the gums and are not brushed away, they can develop into plaque, which hardens into calculus known as tartar. Usually, you won’t see any obvious signs or symptoms of this silent disease until it reaches its advanced stages, but gum disease can cause gum erosion, chronic pain, tooth loss, bone loss, and other serious health problems. Supporting structures of teeth can be weakened or lost.
Luckily, there are many ways to clean your dog's teeth. The most obvious and effective way is brushing with toothpaste. Various companies make toothpaste and brushes specifically for dogs and cats. Many pet owners prefer a finger brush. However, you can experiment with all kinds of toothbrushes to find what you and your dog prefers. However, It's important to know you should not use human toothpaste. Human toothpastes contain ingredients that should not be swallowed. If it is swallowed, it can cause an upset stomach or digestive disturbances. Some human toothpastes contain high levels of sodium which may even make your pet ill, while others may contain xylitol (artificial sweetener), which is toxic for dogs.
1 Start with fingers
Your dog may not be used to having your fingers in his mouth. Before you even begin brushing your dog's teeth, play with his lips and gums and put your fingers in his mouth several times a day for a few days.
2 Introducing toothbrush Once your dog is used to being handled around his mouth you can introduce a toothbrush. Hold the toothbrush up to your dog's nose to let him sniff and investigate. The first few times you introduce the toothbrush to your dog, just let him investigate, lick, and sniff as he pleases.
3 Introduce toothpaste With a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your dog's new toothbrush, introduce the paste and the brush to your dog. Let him sniff it, let him taste it, but do not let him eat it.
4 Brush Without brushing all of his teeth, introduce the toothbrush and a small amount of toothpaste to a few teeth by running the brush how long the teeth and gum lines.
5 Reward Be sure to reward your dog each time he allows you to brush his teeth.
6 Build up Once your dog is used to his mouth being touched, your fingers in his mouth, the toothbrush, and the taste of the toothpaste, build up to brushing more teeth. You can increase the length of time you brush and the number of teeth you brush each time you introduce the toothbrush to your dog.
If you are struggling to brush your dog's teeth, some alternatives would be dental chews, sprays, or water additives. Dental chews, when being gnawed on, can help to remove plaque and bacteria. Sprays and water additives can help remove bacteria using ingredients that work to break down biofilm, while other ingredients are meant to kill the bacteria themselves. Ideally, these products are to be used along-side teeth brushing. However, if your dog is not tolerant of brushing, these alternatives are better than no care at all. Your veterinarian will be able to fully clean your pet's teeth while under anesthesia if they feel it's necessary.
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