Ever wondered is a dog’s mouth cleaner than a human’s? No, canines mouth contains lots of bacteria. Many pet owners ignore oral hygiene to keep their pets healthy. By three years, most canines are showing signs of canine periodontal disease. As foul breath is the most common symptom of early dental illness, owners often overlook poor breath as something dogs naturally have. Your dog’s breath shouldn’t be perfectly fresh, but it shouldn’t be so terrible that it makes you cringe. Periodontal disease can create significant health problems for our canine companions, so keeping their mouths clean is critical. Let’s check out how to clean a dog mouth and how to freshen dog breath with simple tips here.
How To Clean A Dog Mouth?
Brushing the teeth twice a day is recommended for humans. Have any idea how to brush a dog’s teeth? As brushing your canines teeth daily may vary depending on the breed and age of your dog. Because smaller species are more prone to dental problems, larger breeds may not often brush as compared to smaller breeds. There are lots of dental products for dogs available on market, like toothpaste, dental chews, dog dental water additive and tooth brushes. Just opt for the perfect one as per your pet requirement.
#1 Dog Toothpaste and Brushes
You know how to get tartar off dog teeth? Dog toothbrushes are perfect option for this. Cleaning your dog’s teeth daily, just like you, is recommended to reduce plaque and tartar development, leading to periodontal disease. Just use a dog toothbrushes and give a gentle massage on its teeth. Make sure to clean your pet tooth 2-3 times a week.
#2 Dog Dental Chews / Treats
Yes, Dog dental food is ideal for senior dogs. They require more frequent dental care than younger pups, who may go a week or two without brushing dogs teeth. Determine how often you should clean your dog’s teeth by consulting with a reliable veterinarian. These dog dental chews helps to reduce the tartar and plaque build-up. Moreover it create a protective barrier on your pet’s teeth surface which makes it harder for bacteria to stick on to form tartar. If you are looking for how to clean dog teeth without brushing, dental chews are ideal for your pets.
#3 Dog Chew Toys
Yes, it is one of the best way to clean dogs teeth without stressing them out. Just provide chew toys to your dog, these will help your pet’s oral health. When your canine chews these toys helps to scrape away the loose plaque around its teeth and gum line.
Importance of Healthy Mouth for Dogs
Your dog’s mouth isn’t as hygienic as yours, and it’s undoubtedly not as fresh as yours. Researchers have revealed that his saliva contains hundreds of bacterial species only seen in dogs. Furthermore, the same saliva might have a variety of parasites. There are at least 600 distinct species of bacteria in your puppy’s mouth. While that number may sound impressive, keep in mind that humans have roughly 615 distinct species and counting. If you are exposed to certain bacteria unknowingly, you may suffer various medical problems. To be safe, clean it daily to keep maintain healthy dog teeth.
Signs and Symptoms of Dental Problems in Dogs
- Breath problems
- Teeth discoloration and visible tartar build-up
- Gum bleeding or bloodstains on dog toys or bedding
- Face swollen
- Eating is proving to be a challenge.
- Drooling excessively
Common Dental Problems In Dog
Dental ailments are one of the most common health problems that dogs face. Dogtooth problems can significantly impact a dog’s general health and enjoyment of life.
#1 Plaque
It is a thin layer of bacteria and food debris that forms on the surface of a dog’s teeth over time. Brushing’s mechanical forces quickly helps in dog plaque removal. A dog’s teeth and gums will stay healthy if plaque is eliminated daily. If plaque remains on the teeth’s surfaces, minerals in a dog’s saliva solidify it into dental calculus, also known as tartar, securely bonded to the teeth.
#2 Periodontitis
The Periodontitis causes more severe tissue damage to the gums, ligaments, and bone. After years of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis have built up. This dental condition is irreversible and results in the loss of tooth support for the rest of one’s life. Periodontitis is more common in small-breed dogs than in large-breed dogs. Due to the mechanical cleaning impact on the teeth when the food is eaten, dogs on a regular diet of hard kibble suffer more minor issues. The back teeth are more commonly affected than the front teeth. Periodontitis commonly develops between the ages of 4 and 6 and, if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
#3 Tooth Decay
In dogs, tooth decay is minimal. When decay does occur, pits on the bite surfaces of the molar teeth are common. If cavities do develop, they can be treated similarly in human dentistry.
#4 Gingivitis
The Gingivitis is when the gums become inflamed due to bacterial plaque, but the ligaments and bone remain unaffected. Gums turn from coral pink to scarlet or purple, and the gum edge swells and tends to bleed on contact. Bad breath is a common occurrence. Gingivitis can be corrected with appropriate teeth cleaning, but it can progress to Periodontitis if left untreated. Anesthesia and thorough professional cleaning of the dog’s teeth are usually used to cure gingivitis, and it’s also a good idea to clean below the gum line. If the dog’s gingivitis does not improve, you should examine again to see if further thorough cleaning is needed.
When to Visit the Vet?
Visiting a veterinarian to address the dog’s underlying dental problems is the only effective treatment for dental pain. While pain medication may temporarily alleviate symptoms, the pain will return unless the underlying issue is appropriately addressed after multiple visits to the veterinarian. A complete dental health assessment and treatment performed under general anesthesia is likely recommended by your veterinarian.
Conclusion
If you observe any of the indicators of dental disease in your pet, take them to the veterinarian for a complete dental examination. Gum disease bacteria can spread from the mouth to other parts of the body, causing infections and diseases if left untreated. Dental disorders can be excruciatingly painful and should never be ignored like those in people.