Dental care

February is National Dental Health month for dogs. Educating pet owners on how to ensure their dogs have healthy teeth for a lifetime.

Like humans, dogs can suffer from periodontal disease, broken teeth, tooth decay, and other oral health dental issues leading to:

• Discomfort
• Bad breath
• Pain
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease

When it comes to dental hygiene, taking preventative steps at home along with regular office visits are well worth the effort, not only for your dog's overall health but also their comfort.

How To Tell if My Dog Has Bad Dental Health?
Every dog should have a thorough examination by a veterinarian, that includes the health of the teeth, gums, and mouth. This exam should be part of each yearly exam and signs of oral disease include:

• Foul smell in the mouth
• Difficulty chewing
• Inflamed gums
• Bloody mouth, gums

Foul breath could be a sign that there is something occurring within the mouth that requires a visit to their veterinarian. However, dog's breath are not always "fresh-n-clean" they should not be foul.

What To Look For in My Dogs Mouth?

• Plague - a buildup of material growing on the enamel of dog's teeth within hours of eating. Saliva combines with plaque which hardens, resulting in tartar buildup.

What Can You Do At Home?
A variety of pet-safe dental care products exists from disposable dental wipes to dog-friendly toothpaste and tooth brushes. Ask your vet what's best for your dog's breed. Brushing your dog's teeth typically starts early - after adult teeth have erupted, around 6 months of age. Tips: Get your dog accustomed to the various types of brushing, from touching and opening their lips, to touching the teeth with your finger. Then apply a small amount of canine toothpaste to either your finger or toothbrush and let them taste it. These tips could take days to weeks to familiarize your dog with, but it's important to be patient and be routine - once a day is ideal, but 2-3 times per week would be considered fine by most veterinarians.

Additional Chews & Diets
There are plenty of dog chew toys to diet products on the market for canine oral health. Dog chews - not only create play and prevent destructive behavior, some are intended for dental health. Be cautious in choice of chew as not all chews are created equal. When it comes to the oral health of your dog, prevention and awareness are key to helping keep your dog smiling!

Article written by,
AMTC Health Committee