Dogs
need dental care, just like people. Providing your dog with good
dental care can improve your pet's quality of life and can also save
you money in emergency dental procedures. Many dog owners are unaware
that their dog is vulnerable to gingivitis and other dental diseases.
Knowing
how to identify dental disease, how to prevent dental disease, and
what to do for your dog’s overall dental care can help you take
care of your pet.
What
Are the Symptoms of Canine Dental Disease?
Canine
dental disease can manifest itself in different ways, depending on
the severity of the problem. Symptoms of canine dental disease
include:
Canine
dental disease can also manifest itself in your dog's behaviors.
Dental disease can be painful, especially in the advanced stages. If
your dog has dental disease, you may notice your pet favoring one
side of the mouth when eating. Your dog may also stop wanting to be
petted on the head. Dogs in pain may make noises (grunting or talking
noises) when they chew.
Finally,
your dog may start losing weight and may be reluctant to eat. This
happens when eating is so painful that your pet will only eat when
desperate for food.
Some
of these symptoms (like a lack of appetite) can resemble other health
problems. If you start noticing these problems, have a licensed
professional diagnose your dog.
How
Can You Prevent Your Dog from Getting Dental Disease?
Take
your dog in for regular veterinary checkups and dental examinations.
Your pet's vet will tell you how often these exams need to take
place. When your dog is younger, the vet may recommend getting a
dental cleaning every year. As your pet ages, the frequency may
increase.
Brush
your dog's teeth at home. Doing this once per day can help cut back
on the slimy buildup of plaque. Pet shops sell special toothbrushes
and canine toothpaste for dogs. Don't use human toothpaste, as it
could be poisonous for your dog. Canine toothpaste is designed with
dogs in mind.
Feed
your dog dental treats. These products clean your pet's teeth as they
chew. Give your dog dental chew toys as well. These products promote
good dental health in a way that your dog will like.
How
Important Is Canine Dental Care?
Dogs
with poor dental hygiene may suffer from a variety of problems later
in life. Bone loss and tooth loss are common problems for pets that
have not had proper dental care. Dogs with poor oral hygiene may also
suffer from painful sores and cavities. Good canine dental care can
prevent this problem.
Taking
your dog to see the veterinarian regularly for dental checkups makes
catching dental disease in its early stages easy. This can help you
save money on emergency dental procedures and can save your dog a lot
of discomfort as well.
When
Should You Begin Taking Care of Your Dog's Teeth?
Start
brushing your dog's teeth when they're a puppy. Your dog's
veterinarian will likely recommend that your dog begin dental
checkups at one or two years of age, depending on your dog's breed
and their oral hygiene. Talk to your pet's veterinarian to find out
exactly when dental checkups should begin.
How
Can You Train Your Dog to Accept Tooth Brushing?
You
can train your dog to sit still for tooth brushing by first helping
your dog adjust to you touching their teeth. Gently touch your dog's
teeth with your fingers several times each day. Touch the teeth in
different ways, and touch the gums as well.
When
your dog is used to this, wrap gauze around your finger, and gently
touch your dog's teeth with the gauze. Do this several times each day
until your dog is used to this as well.
Start
inserting a toothbrush into your dog's mouth, and touch your dog's
teeth with the toothbrush. Do this several times a day for several
days. Your dog may need to inspect the toothbrush before they'll
allow you to do this.
Finally,
spread toothpaste on the toothbrush. Brush your dog's teeth gently
with a pea-sized spot of toothpaste.
Why
Do Vets Use Anesthesia for Dog Dental Examinations?
Dogs
are given anesthesia during dental examinations to ensure their
safety and comfort. Anesthesia relaxes the dog so that the
veterinarian can access difficult-to-reach spots in the mouth without
risk of harm. Your dog's veterinarian will take your dog's age,
weight, and medical history into account when administering
anesthesia.
For
more information about dog dental procedures, talk to your pet's vet.
At South Seattle Veterinary Hospital, we're happy to answer your
questions about dental examinations and canine dental health. Call
us today
to
find out more.
