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Pet Medication Home -> Dog Dental Care
Keep Your Dog Smiling With
Preventative Dog Dental Care
What should pet
owners know about dog dental care and periodontal disease?
An important aspect of the good dog dental care is
proper dental hygiene. One of the most common ailments treated by
veterinarians is periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is progressive.
It starts out with the formation of plaque, a sticky bacterial film
that forms in the mouth at the gum line. If not removed plaque will
harden into tartar above and below the gum line. This build up causes
the gums to become red and swollen, a condition known as gingivitis.
If gingivitis is left untreated it can lead to advanced
gum disease. Red swollen gums will begin to recede as the infection
travels down into the root of the tooth and the jawbone. Once the
gums have receded the damage is irreversible and the gums will not
grow back. This is known as periodontal disease and results in loss
of bone and loss of teeth. At this advanced stage the bacteria from
the oral infection may now enter the bloodstream. This can lead
to more serious problems such as heart, liver and kidney disease.
These conditions if left untreated can eventually become life threatening.
These problems can also be prevented by implementing a good dog
dental care routine.
Why should I routinely inspect my dog's mouth?
By two or three years of age many pets start to show
signs of oral disease. By implementing a home dog dental care routine
you can assure that your dog's mouth stays healthy, clean and pain
free. Start by routinely inspecting your dog's mouth. A healthy
mouth will not smell offensive. The teeth will be clean and will
not have any yellow or brown spots. The gums will be a healthy pink
color and will hug the teeth.
What are the signs of gum disease in dogs?
Persistent bad breath, brownish deposits around the
gum line, especially on back teeth, red swollen gums, loose teeth,
painful and or bleeding gums are all indicators of oral disease.
Although bad breath or "doggy breath" is the most obvious
sign of a problem, many pet owners fail to recognize it as an indicator
of dental problems until it's too late. As part of a good dog dental
care routine check your dog's mouth at the slightest sign of a persistent
offensive odor. Other indications can be decreased appetite and
weight loss, a change in chewing habits, lethargy, and pawing of
the mouth or the face.
What should I do if my dog's mouth shows signs
of gum disease?
Dog dental care starts by checking your dog's mouth
regularly. If you see any of these signs call your vet to schedule
a dental exam. Your dog may just need a routine cleaning. The cleaning
process is performed under general anesthesia. If the condition
is minor, it's not much different than a dental cleaning that you
or I would have done. Your dog's teeth will be scaled to remove
tartar above and below the gum line and then they will be
polished. Since your dog can't rinse and spit the mouth area will
be flushed to clear it of any loosened debris.
If the condition is more serious your vet may need
to administer an antibiotic to clear up any gum infection before
cleaning your dog's teeth. Blood work will usually be taken so that
your vet can determine if the infection has spread into the bloodstream.
If the disease is in the advanced stages your vet may also need
to extract some teeth. Whatever the outcome, your dog is sure to
feel a lot better after receiving some much needed dog dental
care. Remember to regularly inspect your pet's mouth, schedule periodic
dental check ups, and perform routine home dental care.
How important is home dog dental care?
Regular cleanings by your vet followed up by a home
dental care program can help keep your dog's mouth healthy and disease
free. Even if your dog's teeth are currently in good condition a
preventative home dental care routine is essential to your dog's
health. If not regularly removed, plaque and tartar build up can
progress very quickly into full blown periodontal disease.
If you're new to dog dental care ask your vet to show
you how to brush your dog's teeth. Also find out if there is anything
else that your vet would recommend adding to your dog's preventative
home dental care routine. One recommendation is to entice your dog
to chew. Daily
chewing exercises will
help remove food debris and prevent tartar build up. They're also
great for relieving boredom and separation anxiety. So put your
pet to work. Give your dog plenty of fun and yummy real bones, dental
dog chew toys, and edible dog chews as part of your home dog dental
care routine.
Do I need to brush my dog's teeth?
The most direct method of preventative dog dental
care is brushing
your dog's teeth regularly. Vets usually recommend that you brush your dog's teeth
at least two times a week. If your dog is prone to dental disease
you may need to do this more often.
What should I use to brush my dog's teeth? (continued...)
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