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Oral care for your dog
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More than 80% of dogs show signs of periodontal disease by the age of three. The accumulation of tartar and plaque and the resulting gingivitis can lead to more serious diseases. Without medical intervention, gingivitis or inflammation of the gum takes over and leads to bad breath. What’s worse is that it often leads to damage to the jawbones, and loss of teeth.
What should you do?
Lightly brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week. Do not use tooth pastes made for humans. An alternative to brushing is using a dental chew. Studies by Waltham have shown that certain specifically designed dental health chews (like Dentastix) result in a significant reduction of plaque and calculus accumulation, gingivitis and malodour.
How to brush your dog's teeth?
- Put a small amount of the toothpaste on your finger, and gently rub it on your dog’s front teeth and gums.
- After a few times, switch from a finger to a dog’s toothbrush with soft, rounded bristles.
- Brush with a downward motion on the top teeth and upward on the lower teeth.
- After your dog gets used to this new activity, start doing teeth farther back in the mouth, brushing the premolars, then molars with the same motion you used on the front teeth.
- Consult your vet for suitable brush and paste.
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FAQs on Dog’s Plaque & Tartar on Dog’s Teeth
Gum diseases like periodontal diseases can prove to be really fatal to a dog if left untreated. Studies have shown that it can reduce 2 years of a dog’s life if untreated. Moreover, stage 4 of periodontal diseases can cause severe bacterial infection in your dog which can damage their vital organs, like the heart, liver, and kidneys.
It is best not to try to scrape off the tartar from your dog’s teeth by yourself because you can accidentally cause damage to their teeth enamel and gums. The best option is to consult a vet right away.
Tartar build-up on a dog’s teeth is caused when plaque is left uncleaned. Plaque is caused when bacteria present in the mouth meet the food particles stuck in the teeth. When this plaque mineralises, it hardens into tartar.
Here are a few signs that indicate your dog’s oral health is not in a good shape:
- Tartar build-up
- Cavities
- Discolouration of teeth
- Gingivitis (swollen gums)
- Retreating Gums
- Foul breath
- Reluctance in letting you touch a side of their face
- Difficulty in chewing
- Unusual drooling
- Ropey or bloody saliva
- Extreme sneezing
- Bleeding from mouth