ROUTINE CARE OF A DOG'S TEETH

Regular walks with the dog, good food and lots of affection. There are certain things every owner knows will make their dog happy, but whether regular dental care or brushing is on your list?

Why is dental hygiene in dogs so important?

Eating a favorite meal, exploring the environment, and communicating with the owner - these are the daily tasks your dog has to deal with. For this reason, your dog's mouth will be exposed to loads of bacteria every day. Although a dog's dentition is stronger than a human's, it still needs care and attention to keep it healthy and white.

Generally speaking, a dog who forgets to clean his teeth will be less happy than a dog with healthy teeth. For what reason? The bacteria associated with a dog's poor tooth health can cause pain, discomfort and unpleasant dental conditions, which means activities your dog loves - such as. retrieving or eating his favorite snack - he will no longer enjoy it. In more severe cases, dogs in which oral care has been severely neglected may suffer from other medical conditions. This is why cleaning your dog's teeth is so important. As dogs can't use a toothbrush (as far as we know!), it is up to the owners to maintain their pet's oral hygiene.

Daily care of your dog's teeth

• Brush your teeth

  - If you're wondering how often or when to brush your dog's teeth, you're not the only one asking yourself these questions. Ideally, you should brush your dog's teeth daily. Try to do this at the same time each day to get your dog used to healthy rituals. If you later reward your dog with a small treat, he will accept the grooming routine more enthusiastically.

• Give your dog chews to clean his teeth - It is not always necessary to brush your dog's teeth daily. If you have problems brushing because your dog is resisting or you just don't have time to brush your dog's teeth every night, you can always buy your pet special dental treats that he can chew every day. These will help reduce plaque build-up, thereby removing harmful bacteria from your dog's mouth.

• Good nutrition and adequate food

  - It is clear that providing your dog with a healthy and balanced diet will contribute to healthier teeth, but it should go hand in hand with brushing your dog's teeth. It's also worth noting that dry food is better for your dog's dental health than wet food, so if your dog is suffering from dental problems it's best to stick with the dry food.

• Visit your vet regularly

  -In fact, on each scheduled visit, ask your vet to check your dog's teeth to make sure they are healthy.

Noticing signs of poor oral hygiene in your dog

Bad breath

- The most obvious symptom of insufficient oral hygiene in a dog is a bad smell from the mouth. If your dog's breathing has become stale and disruptive, it is almost certain that there is a dental disease, so act as soon as possible. Read on for advice on what causes bad breath and how to deal with your dog's bad breath

• Gingivitis u dog

  Failure to clean your dog's teeth can lead to a condition called gingivitis. Red and irritated gums are caused by bacteria left in your dog's mouth due to food debris getting stuck between the teeth. These bacteria tend to accumulate under the gum line around the roots of a dog's teeth and, if left untreated, can result in tooth loss and a dog feeling worse.

• Dog plaque and tartar

  - As with humans, your dog's teeth grow over time with plaque. If left untreated, it will harden to stone. Plaque contains bacteria that can damage the enamel of a dog's teeth, while calculus can lead to receding gums and gum disease.
• Swollen jaw

  - If there is an infection in your dog's mouth, an abscess will form. As a result, you will see swelling in your dog's jaw under the eye socket (upper jaw) or around the neck (lower jaw). When the abscess becomes large enough, it will rupture and you will see purulent discharge. Regularly brushing your dog's teeth should prevent most cases of abscesses.

• Chewing problems

  - If your dog has chewing problems, drops food or eats only one side of its mouth, its teeth and gums should be carefully examined. If the bacteria have caused tooth decay or affected gum health, your dog will be chewing severely.

By regularly brushing a dog's teeth, most owners can prevent serious dental problems and achieve a high level of dog oral hygiene.