Tips To Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean
When it comes to the oral health of your dog, you need to take extra care. If you overlook this aspect, your dog may have to suffer much due to your negligence. Are you aware that most dogs start showing symptoms of periodontal diseases by the time they reach three years of age? Periodontal disease can result in serious health problems for your dog. If left untreated, dental disorders can lead to loss of teeth, aching abscesses, and even infections throughout your pet’s body. To ensure that your loving pet does not have to undergo such problems, take efforts to maintain its oral hygiene. Here are a few tips to keep your dog’s teeth clean:
Brush your dog’s teeth regularly
Regular brushing of your pet’s teeth can help to prevent the buildup of plaque inside the mouth. But dogs don’t love to get their teeth brushed, do they? So, you will have to handle the situation with a lot of patience at the beginning. You can even reward your pet with tasty treats after every successful brushing session. This way, your pet will start to enjoy the brushing sessions and may not offer much resistance after a few weeks. Start with small sessions of about 1 minute of brushing and then gradually extend the time. One thing to note is that human toothpaste isn’t at all safe stuff to use for your dog. So, remember to use dog toothpaste and a clean dog toothbrush for the purpose.
Provide dental treats
Dogs like to have snacks, and you can take advantage of this matter. You can get dental treats that are specially made to promote oral health in dogs. Such dental treats can help to remove the buildup of plaque inside your dog’s mouth and improve its oral health. Apart from cleaning your dog’s mouth, dental treats can also eliminate bad breath. The best part is that your dog won’t resist this effort on your part. Instead, your pet will be enjoying itself even as you achieve your objective of getting its mouth cleaned. But you need to make a good choice of a dental treat that will be highly effective for tartar and plaque control.
Take the help of dog chews
You can find dog chews in various types. Chews are something that every dog loves to indulge. At the same time, they can be great for strengthening your pet’s teeth and gums. Regardless of the object chewed upon, the act of chewing helps to scrape off plaque from your pet’s teeth. But you have to make sure that the chew you are giving your dog is safe enough for it. If you select a tough object for chewing, it can break your dog’s teeth. Bones can be a good option as they are great for getting rid of tartar build-up. Also, chewing on bones can help your dog to develop strong teeth. Chews made of rubber or nylon is also great for the dental health of your dog.
Opt for tooth wipes or dental pads
Some dogs may not take to brushing at all, even after you try to bribe them with rewards and treats. Sometimes, you may not have the time to brush your dog’s teeth. Whatever be the reason, you can’t just give up on your dog’s dental care. That is why tooth wipes and dental pads for canines can be a great idea to clean your dog’s teeth and mouth easily. Tooth wipes rubbed against the teeth of your canine friend. They are quite useful in removing plaque. But be aware that they may not reach into the nooks and corners of the mouth where a brush can quickly grasp. On the other hand, dental pads enable you to wipe your dog’s mouth and clear off some of the food particles and bacteria lodged there. Both these techniques may not be as effective as brushing, but they do provide good results in no small extent.
Go for professional cleaning
If you find that the buildup of plaque and tartar inside your pet’s mouth is on the rise despite your efforts, you need to seek professional help. Your veterinarian will be able to check the condition of your dog’s dental health and then suggest the best remedy to address the issues. Additionally, your veterinarian will also be able to detect any symptoms of periodontal diseases that you may have missed noticing or may not be aware.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
