Canine Dental Care

Believe it or not, dental hygiene is as important for our dogs as it is for us human beings. As with people, dogs' teeth can gather plaque after eating. Plaque eventually builds up and as it hardens it becomes a coarse brown substance known as tartar.

This tartar can accumulate and it work its way under the gums and cause painful infections and gum disease. This process goes on in the mouths of dogs just like it does in ours. You brush your teeth every day, and probably more then once. What about your dog?

Teeth Brushing for Doggies

Veterinarians recommend that dog owners brush their dog's teeth at least twice a week to keep the buildup of tartar at a minimum. Most pet supply stores carry specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste just for dogs.

Keep in mind that a dog's sense of taste and smell is much more acute than that of a human and the zesty, tingly, minty taste of toothpaste for people will be extremely unpleasant for a dog. Try brushing your dog's teeth with Crest just once and it will likely be the last time he lets you anywhere near him with a toothbrush. Always use a specially designed canine toothpaste.

Try A Dental Chew

Perhaps you don't have the time or patience to brush you dogs' teeth on a regular basis. If not then you will want to care for his teeth in another way. A dog's natural tendency to chew can be your built-in dental care mechanism. Dog biscuits break into small chunks when chewed and rub against the teeth, providing a cleaning service.

There's no substitute for brushing your dog's teeth as part of his dental care, but if you can't do that, make sure he gets some sort of crunchy dog biscuit on a regular basis.

Dogs And Mouth Disease

Dogs that do not receive proper dental care and do not have access to crunchy teeth cleaning foods run the risk of several types of mouth disease. These can be as mild as gingivitis (a gum disease that results in swollen, inflamed gums) and as serious as a bacterial infection that can spread through the dog's bloodstream causing damage to vital organs. You owe it to yourself and your dog to take care of his teeth.

Dentistry For Dogs

Dental services are available for dogs, just as they are for people. A dog's teeth can be filled, capped, and extracted if necessary, just like a human's. The best course of action, however, is to avoid the need for such services by properly caring for your dog's teeth.

If you can possibly avoid the unnecessary pain and discomfort for your friend, you should do so. Preventative dental care can save you money as well since most canine dental procedures can be quite costly.

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