Maintaining good oral hygiene is important for dogs to stay happy and healthy. Dog parents should keep track of their dogs’ dental care routine. Dental diseases are one of the most common health issues in adult dogs. For your dog’s long term health and wellness, use a dog teeth cleaner regularly. When you do not keep your dog’s teeth clean, it builds up tartar and plaque in their teeth and gums which leads to an increased risk of dental diseases. The gums become swollen and red. It causes painful dental symptoms, and even a dog can lose its teeth. Keeping their teeth clean through regular dental care is the simplest way to help them live a long happy life.
Why Regular Teeth Cleaning is Important for Dogs
Regular teeth cleaning is essential for dogs because it not only helps prevent bad breath but also reduces the risk of serious health conditions. Poor dental hygiene leads dogs to poor health conditions, which affects their liver, kidneys and even heart. Veterinarians say that dental infections do not remain only in the mouth, the bacteria can be spread throughout the body.
Many vets recommend cleaning and brushing your dog’s teeth many times a week. Proper scheduling of professional teeth cleaning should be a part pet dental care routine. You can clean your dog’s teeth at home or at a vet’s clinic. By estimating the cost of dog teeth cleaning, you can choose a professional dental cleaning for your dog.
Choosing the Right Dog Teeth Cleaner
There are different products available for dog teeth cleaning like toothbrushes specifically designed for dogs, finger teeth brushes and dental wipes, for easy and quick dental cleaning. Many water additives are also there to remove bad breath and cleanse the oral cavity.
Choose the right dog teeth cleaner according to your dog’s size, breed and behaviour. Some small dogs develop tartar quickly and senior dogs require gentle options for their brushing of teeth. Below are some dog teeth cleaner products available online.
TropiClean Fresh Breath Dog Dental Water Additive: It is added to water to freshen up your dog’s mouth and improve the breath smell.
Petlab Co. ProBright Dog Dental Powder: It is a fine powder that removes plaque and tartar. It is preferred for such dogs that do not like to chew such treats.
Trixie Dog Dental Care Set: It is a simple dental care kit that includes toothbrushes and toothpaste for regular brushing of your dog’s teeth.
Petkin Dog Dental Wipes: These are the dental wipes, quick and easy to clean your dog’s teeth.
Best Dog Chews for Teeth Cleaning
These are effective in removing plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth. It is an easy and fun way to clean teeth. Choose the chewables that are not so hard for your dog. It should contain some texture or scrubbing property so it can remove any plaque, tartar or bacteria from your dog’s teeth and gums. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, supervise the chewing session. Also, cross-check the dog chews with your dog’s veterinarian.
Ark Naturals Brushless Toothpaste 4 in 1 Dog Dental Chews are a chew based dental care product for your dog available online. It combines mechanical cleaning and breath freshening. It is good for regular use.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Treats
Dog teeth cleaning treats are another good option for dogs who resist teeth brushing. These treats are not only snacks, but they also help add minerals and enzymes to the dog’s mouth, which help clean accumulated tartar and plaque. It is a great supplement to brushing and chewing routines. Here are some dog teeth cleaning treats available online,
Greenies Original Dental Dog Treats: These are popular dental treats to remove plaque.
Yummy Combs Adult Medium Dog Dental Treats: It is used as a supplement to brushing.
What’s the right schedule for cleaning your dog’s teeth?
You should clean your dog’s teeth daily. But if it is not possible for you to clean their teeth daily, you can clean them three to four times a week. If your dog is not comfortable with brushing their teeth, take it easy. Let them process the taste of toothpaste and then allow you to clean their teeth.
You can also combine teeth brushing with chewables and treats that help to remove plaque from the dog’s teeth. These treats also scrub and polish the teeth of dogs. Regular grooming appointments that include pet grooming and detailed oral checkups can help in the early diagnosis of dental diseases.
DIY Dog Teeth Cleaning Tips
Cleaning your dog’s teeth at home is not difficult at all. You can brush their teeth easily.
- Choose a dog teeth cleaner and a dog toothpaste that is approved by your dog’s vet.
- Try brushing your dog’s teeth in a small circular manner while focusing on the gumline where bacteria accumulate.
- Slowly clean all the teeth and gums, remove the food particles and after finishing, provide them with a treat.
- You can also use some home alternatives for teeth cleaning like wrapping a gauze around your finger and then gently brushing your teeth and gums. Just make sure you use a toothpaste approved by a vet and if you try some home remedies, they should be safe for dogs.
Professional Dog Dental Care
Your routine at home dental cleaning reduces the risk of dental disease in your dog but sometimes it is not enough. They may need professional dental care for a detailed dental review. It is required in order to detect early signs of any severe dental conditions.
Professionals use anesthesia to calm down the dog and thoroughly examine the dog’s mouth. They check for bacterial growth and remove any plaque or tartar accumulated. Professionals also check for gum swelling and bleeding, which are indicators of teeth sensitivity.
The cost of dog dental cleaning depends on the size and breed of your dog. It also depends on the type of dental treatment you are choosing for your dog. If there is a lot of plaque accumulation that is hard to remove it might be expensive.
Professional dental cleaning is also recommended with other pet services like pet boarding and pet nutrition.
Warning Signs Your Dog Needs Dental Help
If your dog has persistent bad breath and red or swollen gums, you need to get your dog checked by a vet. Changes in your pet’s behaviour like drooling or difficulty in eating, are also signs showing something is not good. These symptoms show your dog needs dental help. A proper dental care checkup will reduce the risk of further dental diseases.
Conclusion
Taking care of the dental and oral hygiene of your dog is as important as taking care of its physical and mental health. A proper dental hygiene ensures the safety from infectious dental and gum diseases. Maintaining good oral and dental health by brushing your dog’s teeth and providing it with treats and chewables helps reduce disease risk. You can visit Park Hills Animal Hospital for your dog’s detailed dental checkup.
FAQs
What is the Importance of Dental Care for a Dog?
Dental care is important to prevent your dog from dental and gum diseases. Good dental hygiene helps to reduce bad breath and improve your dog’s overall appearance. It reduces the risk of heart, liver and kidney diseases in your pet.
Why are Toothpastes Used for Dogs?
Toothpastes are used for dogs to improve the motion of the brush bristles on the dog’s teeth. For this purpose, dog toothpastes are flavored.
Are Dog Chews for Teeth Cleaning Beneficial?
Yes, they are quite beneficial because these dental chewables remove plaque and tartar from teeth. They function by cleaning the gumline and preventing plaque or bacterial buildup.
What is the Ideal Way to Care for Your Dog’s Oral Hygiene?
Brush them properly. Cleaning your dog’s teeth on a daily basis or three to four times a week helps to attain good oral hygiene.
How Can I Make Dental Cleaning Less Stressful for My Dog?
It is important to calm your dog for dental cleaning. You can cuddle it to prepare it for cleaning. And then you can wrap a towel or cloth around your dog to provide a sense of security and protectiveness. It will make your dog less stressed.
