Dental Care And Your Dog | Dogs

By MikeRoberts
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Believe it or not, dental hygiene is as important for our dogs as it is for us human beings. As with people, dogs' teeth can gather plaque after eating. Plaque eventually builds up and as it hardens it becomes a coarse brown substance known as tartar.

When this tartar accumulates it can work its way under the gums and cause painful infections and gum disease. This process goes on in the mouths of our dogs just like it does in people. You brush your teeth every day, probably several times. What does your dog do?

Teeth Brushing for Doggies

Talk to your Vet and he or she will probably recommend that you try to brush you dog's teeth at least a couple of times a week to keep the buildup of tartar at a minimum. You can find specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste just for dogs at most pet supply stores.

Keep in mind that a dog's sense of taste and smell is much more acute than that of a human and the zesty, tingly, minty taste of toothpaste for people will be extremely unpleasant for a dog. Try brushing your dog's teeth with Crest just once and it will likely be the last time he lets you anywhere near him with a toothbrush. Always use a specially designed canine toothpaste.

Try A Dental Chew

Many people don't have the time or patience to brush their dogs' teeth on a regular basis. If you fall into this category, you'll want to care for Chopper's choppers in another way. A dog's natural tendency to chew can be a built-in dental care mechanism. Try some dog biscuits because they break into small chunks when chewed and rub against the teeth, providing a cleaning service.

There's no substitute for brushing your dog's teeth, but if you can't do that, make sure he gets some sort of crunchy dog biscuit on a regular basis.

Dogs And Mouth Disease

If your dog does not receive proper dental care and does not have access to crunchy teeth cleaning foods, he will run the risk of several types of mouth disease. These can be as mild as gingivitis (a gum disease that results in swollen, inflamed gums) or as serious as a bacterial infection that can spread through the dog's bloodstream causing damage to vital organs. You really owe it to yourself and your dog to take care of his teeth.

Doggie Dentistry

Dental services are available for dogs, just like they are for people. A dog's teeth can be filled, capped, and extracted if necessary, just like a human's. The best course of action, however, is to avoid the need for such services by properly caring for your dog's teeth.

If you can possibly avoid the unnecessary pain and discomfort for your friend, you should do so. Preventative dental care can save you money as well since most canine dental procedures can be quite costly.

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