| Bean Town Dogs A Service Guide for New England Dogs |
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Dogs are loyal, playful, and affectionate. Because they are so
companionable, they are often dubbed "man's best friends." But dogs
share many other characteristics with their human owners, including a
tendency towards developing gingivitis (gum disease) as they age.
Gingivitis has been diagnosed in dogs as young as three, but a dental
hygiene regimen, including regular home brushing, can prevent its
development.
The normal canine mouth has 44 teeth--22 on the top and 22 on the
bottom. These teeth are divided into 8 upper and 6 lower incisors, 4
canines, 16 premolars, and 4 upper and 6 lower molars. Canine teeth are
designed to rip and shred food and suited for a carnivorous diet.
The greatest threat to a dog's dental health is gingivitis. Dogs do not
normally get cavities, but are prone to developing a brown substance
called calculus around their gums. Calculus, laden with bacteria, can
eventually cause canine gums to recede, exposing the root. Teeth can
loosen in their sockets, opening up the possibility of infection. Although
antibiotics can suppress gum infection, only tartar removal can prevent
infection from reoccurring. Infection can travel throughout the mouth,
causing pharyngitis, and, in advanced cases, can enter the blood stream,
even causing kidney and heart disease.
Tartar control biscuits, bones, and chew-eez can help reduce tartar
buildup above the gumline, but only regular brushing can reach the
crtical areas below the gumline.
Owners should brush their dog's teeth at least twice a week.
Brushing a dog's teeth is easier than brushing your own. Their narrow
teeth are spaced more widely than human teeth, eliminating the need for
flossing. Their teeth only touch in one or two places. A toothbrush can
reach 90% of the areas that need to be brushed.
Toothpaste Always use a specially formulated dog toothpaste. Because
dogs can't rinse and spit after a brushing, the paste must be safe for pets
to swallow. Some human toothpastes contain detergents which can
irritate pets' stomachs, and, in addition, large quantities of ingested
fluoride can harm pets. A typical dog toothpaste is chicken or
beef-flavored and contains water, sorbitol, silica, cellulose gum,
Trisodium EDTA, Methylparaben, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide.
Toothbrush Most dog dental kits contain a toothbrush and toothpaste,
sold together. If using a human toothbrush, pick a soft, nylon bristle,
and, for a smaller dog, child-sized brush. Finger brushes can be
purchased as well. These fit on a fingertip and allow owners easier access
to their dogs' mouths. Electric toothbrushes can be used if dogs can
tolerate the mechanical noise.
The Act of Brushing Let the dog taste the toothpaste before attempting to
brush his teeth. Allow him to lick the toothpaste off your brush. When he
has tasted the toothpaste, reapply paste to the brush and start brushing in
a circular motion. It is important to keep your dog calm and relaxed by
praising him and stroking his neck area. When your dog is relaxed, pull
back his lips and cheeks to gain access to the premolars and molars.
Brushing Frequency Veterinarians recommend that a dog's teeth be
brushed at least twice a week, perhaps more frequently for dogs with
stubborn dental problems.
Professional Cleanings Depending on the individual dog, professional
tooth cleaning is recommended every one to three years. This cleaning,
which takes place under general anesthesia, consists of scaling to remove
tartar above and below the gum line; polishing to smooth the surface of
the teeth; and flushing, to dislodge tartar and bacteria.
The act of brushing a dog's teeth twice weekly, while initially daunting,
becomes easier with practice and routine. Caring for your dog's dental
hygiene will assure good dental health and prevent many more serious
dental and medical problems as he ages.
companionable, they are often dubbed "man's best friends." But dogs
share many other characteristics with their human owners, including a
tendency towards developing gingivitis (gum disease) as they age.
Gingivitis has been diagnosed in dogs as young as three, but a dental
hygiene regimen, including regular home brushing, can prevent its
development.
The normal canine mouth has 44 teeth--22 on the top and 22 on the
bottom. These teeth are divided into 8 upper and 6 lower incisors, 4
canines, 16 premolars, and 4 upper and 6 lower molars. Canine teeth are
designed to rip and shred food and suited for a carnivorous diet.
The greatest threat to a dog's dental health is gingivitis. Dogs do not
normally get cavities, but are prone to developing a brown substance
called calculus around their gums. Calculus, laden with bacteria, can
eventually cause canine gums to recede, exposing the root. Teeth can
loosen in their sockets, opening up the possibility of infection. Although
antibiotics can suppress gum infection, only tartar removal can prevent
infection from reoccurring. Infection can travel throughout the mouth,
causing pharyngitis, and, in advanced cases, can enter the blood stream,
even causing kidney and heart disease.
Tartar control biscuits, bones, and chew-eez can help reduce tartar
buildup above the gumline, but only regular brushing can reach the
crtical areas below the gumline.
Owners should brush their dog's teeth at least twice a week.
Brushing a dog's teeth is easier than brushing your own. Their narrow
teeth are spaced more widely than human teeth, eliminating the need for
flossing. Their teeth only touch in one or two places. A toothbrush can
reach 90% of the areas that need to be brushed.
Toothpaste Always use a specially formulated dog toothpaste. Because
dogs can't rinse and spit after a brushing, the paste must be safe for pets
to swallow. Some human toothpastes contain detergents which can
irritate pets' stomachs, and, in addition, large quantities of ingested
fluoride can harm pets. A typical dog toothpaste is chicken or
beef-flavored and contains water, sorbitol, silica, cellulose gum,
Trisodium EDTA, Methylparaben, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide.
Toothbrush Most dog dental kits contain a toothbrush and toothpaste,
sold together. If using a human toothbrush, pick a soft, nylon bristle,
and, for a smaller dog, child-sized brush. Finger brushes can be
purchased as well. These fit on a fingertip and allow owners easier access
to their dogs' mouths. Electric toothbrushes can be used if dogs can
tolerate the mechanical noise.
The Act of Brushing Let the dog taste the toothpaste before attempting to
brush his teeth. Allow him to lick the toothpaste off your brush. When he
has tasted the toothpaste, reapply paste to the brush and start brushing in
a circular motion. It is important to keep your dog calm and relaxed by
praising him and stroking his neck area. When your dog is relaxed, pull
back his lips and cheeks to gain access to the premolars and molars.
Brushing Frequency Veterinarians recommend that a dog's teeth be
brushed at least twice a week, perhaps more frequently for dogs with
stubborn dental problems.
Professional Cleanings Depending on the individual dog, professional
tooth cleaning is recommended every one to three years. This cleaning,
which takes place under general anesthesia, consists of scaling to remove
tartar above and below the gum line; polishing to smooth the surface of
the teeth; and flushing, to dislodge tartar and bacteria.
The act of brushing a dog's teeth twice weekly, while initially daunting,
becomes easier with practice and routine. Caring for your dog's dental
hygiene will assure good dental health and prevent many more serious
dental and medical problems as he ages.
Dog Dental Care
| Copyright Perkins & Company 2006-2007 All Rights Reserved. All content, including graphics, on BeanTown Dogs Website is Copyright Perkins & Company, unless otherwise noted, and may not be copied or reproduced without prior written permission. |
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