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A dog’s teeth should
be brushed daily. Soft plaque, which forms around and
just under the gum line interacts with minerals in a
dog’s saliva to harden into tartar within 36 hours.
Unlike plaque, tartar cannot be removed by brushing, and
requires veterinary attention. The wisest course of
action is to avoid this issue by removing plaque before
it mineralizes.
At home dental care
is one of the most important things you can do to
protect the health of their dogs. Once plaque hardens
into tartar it promotes gum diseases such as gingivitis.
When this happens, bacteria from the gums can travel
down the root of the tooth to the jaw bone, which can
lead to tooth and bone loss. Bacteria can also enter the
blood stream through bleeding gums, posing a threat to
vital organs like the heart, lungs and liver.
Remember to
follow these six basic at home dental care steps:
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Only toothpaste and
toothbrushes specifically made for canines should be
used. Canine toothpaste doesn’t have the sudsing agents
found in human products, so it will not harm the lining
of a dog’s stomach when swallowed. Unlike people, dogs
cannot gargle and spit out their toothpaste, so it goes
“right down the hatch.” As far as toothbrushes go, the
ones used by humans have bristles that are too hard for
a dog’s sensitive gums.
-
Tooth brushing
sessions should be as much fun as possible for the dog.
The owner should have an upbeat voice and attitude when
brushing the pets teeth, and work in a position that’s
comfortable for the pet. If two people are in the
household one can pet the dog while the other brushes.
-
It’s a good idea to
give dogs time to grow accustomed to the tooth brushing
process. Owners should simply allow dogs to lick the
toothpaste off a finger or toothbrush for the first
three or four days without even trying to brush the
teeth.
-
The first few
brushing sessions should be kept short with only a few
teeth being covered. The side of the dog’s mouth should
be held in the hand that is not holding the toothbrush.
-
Brushing should be
done gently without too much pressure. The toothbrush
should be held at an upward angle and worked in small
circular motions. The owner should hold the side of the
head that’s not being brushed in his or her hand.
-
Special attention
should be paid to the area just below the gum line,
since this is where most plaque forms.
The
upper back teeth should also receive careful attention,
since this is where plaque appears first and most
abundantly.
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