How To Take Care Of Your Dog’s Teeth

Pets cannot brush their teeth on their own nor do they know how to floss. Much less are they able to rinse with mouthwash … For this reason, you are the owners who will always have to take care of the dog’s teeth. In this way, you can avoid the presence of cavities, the accumulation of plaque, which then becomes tartar or other serious problems, such as halitosis.

Taking care of your dog’s teeth, every day

Maintaining your pet’s dental hygiene is necessary to prevent bad breath or more serious problems, such as gingivitis or even tooth loss.

If you have a dog, you need to worry that your best friend is fine in all respects. This includes, of course, also the mouth and teeth, where bacteria can hide that could, in the long run, jeopardize the physical integrity of the animal. For this reason, we have decided to give you a series of tips to be able to take care, at best, of the hygiene of your dog’s teeth, every day.

To begin, open the dog’s mouth, gently separating the jaws – this way he won’t feel threatened. This will help you check for some typical indicators of oral problems. For example, yellow spots on the teeth, bleeding, red gums, flaky or missing teeth, bad breath, and excessive salivation.

Also, check the behavior of the animal. Pay attention if he changes his  eating habits, if he shows difficulty or pain when chewing, or if he crushes his muzzle against an object or on his front legs. In any of these cases, a review by your veterinarian is essential , who will be able to advise you on the appropriate treatment for the problem encountered.

Tips for taking care of your dog’s teeth

It is often said that it is better to be safe than sorry. A golden rule that also applies in this case, since the teeth, and the mouth, are among the most delicate parts in the organism of mammals. Let’s see 3 simple  tips that will allow you to improve the dental health of your best friend, removing the risks of more serious and potentially dangerous problems and diseases:

1. How to clean your dog’s teeth

First of all, you need to remember that the dog’s anatomy is different from yours and, therefore, you will need a special toothbrush, as well as a dermatologically tested toothpaste for dogs. To find these two elements, just ask your vet for information or go directly to a pet shop.

The toothbrush adapts to the needs of the pet’s mouth and the toothpaste is processed so that it is neither toxic nor digestive. The best time to start brushing your dog’s teeth is before four months, as it will be taken as a game and your best friend will keep this “feeling” for the rest of his life.

2. Give the dog dry food

The food, among other things, serves to act as a toothbrush and to remove plaque accumulated between the teeth and gums. Chewing the food with a certain consistency keeps the dog’s mouth healthy and reduces bad breath.

Therefore, if you are offering him some wet food, the advice is to alternate it 2/3 times a week  with treats and dry food. Do not forget to always buy good quality products so that the animal can assimilate the right amount of vitamins and other nutrients.

Sometimes, you may want to give your dog some  bones. Always remember that they must be raw and carefully monitor the animal while it eats them. If they are chicken or beef, they could chip and stick to the gums. They could also cause cuts, injuries, bleeding and pain.

3. Choose suitable toys

In pet stores or at the vet, you will find special treats that, in addition to serving as a reward when the dog behaves well, are excellent edible toys and good for his oral health. They are made with food-like ingredients and help eliminate plaque and bad odor.

In addition, you can buy toys made of other non-edible materials to entertain your four-legged friend. They work like mobile toothbrushes. But be careful that they are not too hard, because they could be harmful to the teeth in case of breakage.