Dog teeth: how to care for them to prevent disease and calculus?
How to care for your dog's teeth?
You know 60-80% dogs have problems with their teeth and gums?
Oral diseases are a very common reason for dog and cat owners to consult a veterinarian.
The problems usually begin after 2-3 years of age, when plaque begins to build up on the teeth, which then transforms into tartar in a dog.
So how to take care of your pet's teeth?
Brush teeth, serve special feeds, oral hygiene lotions, whether to carry out sanitation?
When to see a doctor?
You will find the answer to these questions in my article, so I encourage you to read the whole ?
- How dog dental disease occurs?
- Diseases of the teeth in a dog: symptoms
- How to care for your dog's teeth?
- Foods supporting oral hygiene
- Toothbrush for a dog
- Toothpaste for a dog
- Dog's teeth: hygiene preparations
- Dog Dental Diseases: Treatment
How dog dental disease occurs?
Small breed dogs are prone to dental and gum disease:
- yorkies,
- shih tzu,
- Maltese,
- Pekingese,
- dachshunds.
It largely depends on genetic predisposition (incorrect bite, saliva composition), but also on the diet (dry food causes abrasion of the plate).
Depositing plaque, that is food debris and bacteria naturally occurring in the mouth, is a natural process and lasts the entire life of the animal.
However, in the absence of adequate hygiene, the plaque hardens under the influence of minerals contained in the saliva and forms tartar in a dog.
Tartar in a dog It comes to severe gingivitis in a dog caused by the action of toxins secreted by bacteria, for which plaque and calculus are excellent nutrients.
If the situation does not change, it happens over time gum atrophy, exposing the necks of the teeth and creating alveolar pockets.
Bacteria and their toxins penetrate the inside of the tooth, causing it purulent inflammation, formation periapical abscess and its prolapse.
In advanced disease, it can develop the transfer of a purulent process to the bones of the mandible and maxilla.
In addition, the bacteria in the sick dog's or cat's mouth are introduced into the entire body with each swallowing of saliva.
This could be the cause heart disease, kidney if liver. The whole process is for the pet very painful and dangerous.
Diseases of the teeth in a dog: symptoms
You should check your dog's teeth and gums once a week for the following symptoms:
- brown or yellow coating on the teeth near the gum line,
- red, bleeding, swollen gums,
- bad breath from the mouth (halitosis),
- salivation,
- reluctance to eat, difficulty chewing and, consequently, weight loss - this is due to pain in the mouth,
- purulent discharge from the mouth or nose,
- bulge below the eyeball - a symptom of the appearance alveolar abscess.
Periodic examination of teeth in dogs It is very important to periodically examine oral health our little ones in veterinary offices.
This should be done at least once a year, and in elderly or chronically ill animals, for example renal failure, even 2-3 times a year.
If you notice any of the above symptoms in your pet, please consult your veterinarian as soon as possible and take appropriate treatment.
How to care for your dog's teeth?
When it comes to oral health, prevention is better than cure.
Fortunately, veterinary dentistry, as well as the owners' awareness of the prophylaxis and health of their pets, is growing every year.
We should take care of the health of our furry friend's teeth every day.
This will prevent build-up tartar in a dog, avoid severe, advanced periodontal diseases and save our pet from suffering.
Foods supporting oral hygiene
Dog chews The basic and long-term aspect influencing the health of the teeth is proper nutrition of the dog or cat.
Only wet, soft food should be avoided.
It is best to give your pet dry food so that it can mechanically wear away plaque when chewing.
Many pet food companies with a special composition, supporting oral hygiene.
Croquettes have a special shape and composition to help bind the calcium contained in saliva, co limits the build-up of tartar in your dog.
It's also a good idea to serve up specials teethers, goodies if chewing toys, which perform a similar function.
There are also dog supplements that can be added to water or food.
They are designed to settle on the teeth, soften the stone and act as a disinfectant, thanks to which they reduce the bad smell from the mouth.
Toothbrush for a dog
Toothbrush for a dog The most important thing that can protect your dog from serious oral conditions is brushing teeth.
Many dog and cat owners consider this a whim, but nothing prevents the growth of bacteria and plaque better than a special one brush and dog toothpaste.
The assortment of these articles is currently very wide, so everyone will find something for themselves.
Brushes come in many shapes and sizes.
How to brush your dog's teeth you can see in the video below
Learning to brush your dog's and cat's teeth. ARKA-vet_pl
Watch this video on YouTube
Toothpaste for a dog
Toothpaste for dogs have flavors and smells that are pleasant to the pet.
Dogs must not use toothpastes intended for humans!It is very important to get the youngest dogs used to this procedure and make it associate with something pleasant. Treats and caresses after brushing are welcome!
Things are worse with cats, but some owners are able to convince their flies with hard work to cooperate on this topic.
Ideally, your dog's teeth should be cleaned every day, but once every few days will also bring results.
Dog's teeth: hygiene preparations
Oral hygiene preparations contain various active ingredients.
The most commonly used is chlorhexidine.
It has a proven bactericidal effect, limiting the growth of bacteria and thus the deposition of dental plaque.
Eliminates unpleasant odors and maintains proper oral hygiene.
Preparations with chlorhexidine are, for example:
- AQUADENT fluid,
- STOMA-GEL,
- DENTISEPT in the form of an ointment,
- DEO-SPRAY in the form of an atomizer.
In contrast, a preparation called STOMODINE in addition to chlorhexidine also includes Tris-EDTA, which enhances its antiseptic effect.
Another popular ingredient in toothpastes are enzymes.
OROZYME is a care gel containing a formula of 5 enzymes that affect the presence of plaque and tartar.
It helps to destroy accumulated sediment and maintains the proper balance of microorganisms in the oral cavity.
The preparation called PLAQUE OFF is a powder added to the feed containing a natural plant substance obtained from marine algae.
During its digestion, ingredients are released that make the saliva gain properties that disrupt the tartar in such a way that it does not support new deposits.
In addition, it contains calcium-binding ingredients to prevent scale formation.
The innovative product is MAXI / GUARD CLEANSING GEL and MAXI / GUARD OraZn containing tasteless, neutralized zinc in the form of zinc ascorbate.
These preparations are recommended in everyday oral hygiene, as well as in the treatment of periodontal diseases, such as:
- purulent inflammation,
- lesions and wounds of the mucosa and tongue,
- plasmocytic stomatitis,
- Calicivirus mouth ulcers in cats.
Oral care products also contain a number of natural adjuvants, such as:
- plant extracts anti-inflammatory on mucous membranes,
- sage,
- parsley,
- folic acid and vitamin C to prevent inflammation and bleeding from the gums,
- citric acid, which dissolves the mineral deposit.
Examples of preparations containing these ingredients are Deodent spray or Fresh Aid gel.
Dog Dental Diseases: Treatment
Dog Dental Diseases and Their Treatment Sometimes it happens that due to our neglect or unawareness, the inflammatory process in the oral cavity is advanced and it is too late to act conservatively.
Then you should conduct a so-called veterinarian sanitation of the oral cavity:
- The oral cavity sanation is performed in anesthesia and consists in a special removal ultrasonic scaler residual plaque and tartar.
- In the veterinary office, the alveolar pockets are cleaned and the moving and infected teeth are removed.
- Finally, the oral cavity is disinfected and the teeth are polished with dental paste.
If the inflammation is severe, the doctor will give it up antibiotics and painkillers for the next few days.
After the gums have healed, start taking care of your pet's oral hygiene using the methods described above.
If our pet does not tolerate mouth washing or we simply do not want to do it, we have to take into account relapses of the disease, the necessity to conduct it on a regular basis sanation or complications in the form of kidney disease, heart disease or gastrointestinal diseases.
Summary
Dog oral hygiene Remember that keeping your dog's or cat's teeth in good condition is essential to their overall good health!
These few hygienic activities, or periodic examination of your dog's teeth in the veterinary office will not cause you much trouble, and will save your pet the pain and stress associated with treatment.
I hope that thanks to this article you will convince your pet to brush your teeth, and that the annual dental check-up at the vet will be a pure pleasure ?
If you want to learn more about oral hygiene or dentifrices recommended by veterinarians, feel free to leave a comment under the article.
Add to blocked banner listSources used >>