Dental Care for Dogs

   Posted: March 10, 2009 | Comments: 0 | Views: 360 | Rating: Not Rated

Most people keep their dogs up to date on immunizations, but very few dog owners are dedicated to canine dental care. A dog’s teeth require proper care and attention in order to avoid dental disease, which can cause damage to your pet’s liver and heart.

The American Veterinary Dental Society teaches that eighty percent of dogs suffer from some form of oral disease by the time they turn three years old. As bacteria builds up on a dog’s teeth and gums, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. Many dogs die from diseases related to gum disease.

Dogs can suffer from gingivitis and periodontitis just like humans. Broken teeth are also a common problem for dogs who like to chew. While oral disease abounds among canines, veterinary science is making tremendous strides in helping dogs to keep healthy teeth and gums.

Dental examines are now a standard part of every veterinary visit. The vet will want to check your dog’s teeth and gums on a regular basis during puppyhood. You puppy will begin with 28 baby teeth, which need to be carefully cleaned. By the time a dog reaches adulthood, it will have 42 permanent teeth. As new teeth grow, puppies sometimes experienced an impacted tooth. This can happen when the baby teeth don’t move to make room for the new permanent teeth. Your vet will check for signs of an impacted tooth during dentals screenings.

You can also help with your dog’s dental care. Prevention is the best tool in preventing oral disease. You should brush your dog’s teeth with toothpaste made for dogs. Ask your vet to show you how to brush correctly, to eliminate built up tartar and plaque.

Some dogs aren’t very tolerant of toothbrushes, but you can train your dog to sit still for the process. Many puppy training classes will teach pet owners how to brush their dogs’ teeth successfully. Typical training techniques will eliminate biting or growling during oral care.

You can also help alleviate the pain of growing teeth by giving your puppy appropriate chew toys. Many puppies will chew on anything while they are getting permanent teeth. They tend to go for shoes, furniture, or other surfaces that are tough. The pressure from these objects feels good on their sore gums and helps the new teeth to break through.

Prevent chewed up shoes and furniture by buying some chew toys from a pet store. Look for toys that are tough and will offer a bit of resistance to help ease the pain of teething. See a vet if your dog continues to chew up household objects. The vet can evaluate if your dog has a dental issue or a behavior problem.

© 2009 CommonDogs.com