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| Dog Dental Care |
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Promote Your Events On Beantown 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.
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