PET DOG DENTAL CARE/TOOTHCARE

By : Gladys Avery
Caring for a dog entails food, water, exercise, training and lots of love. For some pet owners dental care in dogs is an unnecessary practice. People think that animals always have breath problems. Wild animals instinctively go through the motions of wild tooth care by using materials available in their habitat to clean, sharpen and relieve pain. Dental care for dogs is considered an essential for hygiene. A dog, even though they are from a lineage of wild carnivores, has evolved to be totally dependent on humans and modernization. The research and studies done by veterinarian experts result in the responsibility being that of the owners. People never think about the repercussions that not tending to a dog’s dental needs can cause. It can initiate problems currently and/or in the future.

Tooth and gum disease is common in all pets. After even a day or two of eating, plaque can build up on dogs teeth. If they not cleaned regularly they are bound to have tartar build up. Tartar starts as a hard white deposit on a tooth and it slowly moves its way up the tooth and under the gum line. It will appear to be discolored and puffy as the days pass. This causes irritation in your dog’s mouth, the tartar rubs against the gums while he is chewing his food. Tartar build-up starts at the back teeth slowly making its way up to the front teeth.

Dog owners need to provide dental health care for all their animals. Owners of small breeds or short-nosed breeds should especially be aware due to the fact that they have more teeth than gum space can accommodate. This in turn makes them more susceptible.

The effects of dental decay can cause behavioral changes. Aggression is often connected to an illness or pain a pet may be experiencing. For pets that exhibit aggressiveness or sulkiness may have toothaches or gum irritations. Dental disease as research shows not only affects the mouth area, but it can also affect other organs in the long run. The regular balance of good and bad bacteria is upset and the bad bacteria will have a tendency to make its way to vital organs beyond the mouth causing infections. Extreme dental damage is irreversible; a moderate tartar build-up is still reversible with proper tooth brushing and check-ups.

Training your dog to get used to his teeth being brushed is recommended. Since your dog is used to you stroking its muzzle, start by lifting his upper lip slightly exposing the teeth. Do this a few minutes a day until he is gets used to the action. After a few days proceed rubbing his gums with beef broth in a circular motion on the gumline and surrounding teeth. You can then take a gauze strip dipped in a dental solution and rub it in a circular motion on your dog’s gums. Be patient while he gets used to the non-beef flavored gauze. Once your dog is used to the dental massage, introduce the flavored dog toothpaste on a toothbrush. Let your pooch lick it off the brush first, then immediately proceed to rubbing his gumline with the toothpaste. Always brush in a circular motion taking into consideration the care of the gums as well. Never prolong the process by trying to get stubborn plaque off by yourself. Hardened plaque can be taken out by a canine dental professional. It takes experience and instruments to get stuck on tartar out. Besides you do not want to make the tooth brushing a negative experience for your dog. Make sure to stay on a regular schedule and be consistent.



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