Take Care of Your Dog’s Teeth

Periodontal diseases do not happen only to humans. Around 80% of dogs by the age of three have some form of periodontal disease. Like any living thing, your dog needs good hygiene and care. Going to a pet care center regularly can help prevent your best friend from falling victim to painful and harmful diseases.

Dental diseases in dogs affects the teeth, gums, and jawbone structure. Plaque buildup in dogs, like in humans, contains bacteria and food particles, that if not cleaned can cause infections and cavities. Plaque that is not removed turns into hard tartar. Tartar can be below the gumline, which can mean that your dog’s teeth look healthy, but they are not.

Tartar below the gumline causes inflammation, infections, and even serious pain. Broken or loose teeth, bad breath, painful and bleeding mouths, excessive drooling, and the inability or refusal to eat and drink are all signs that your dog needs professional cleaning and care at a pet care center.

Regular appointments at your local pet care center will help maintain your dog’s health and wellness. Serious diseases are less likely to become debilitating or deadly if caught early. Prevention is the best medicine; ensuring that your dog is healthy, happy, and active will reduce the risk of chronic pain, severe illness, and costly vet bills.

As a pet parent, it is your job to ensure that your pet is healthy. Once your pup is between 8-12 weeks old, it is time to start brushing their teeth. Do not use human toothpaste, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide. These are harmful to dogs, and can easily be swallowed. Your pet care center will be able to provide you with dog-friendly oral care materials.

Dog mouths are similar to human mouths. Their teeth, like ours, can build up plaque, tartar and bacteria that can cause intense pain, swelling, and infections. Daily brushing is an essential part of keeping your dog’s mouth pain-free.

Unfortunately, most dogs who visit their pet care center for oral hygiene only do so when there already is a severe problem. Your dog is not able to tell you if they have a sore tooth. This means that, if not properly cared for, most people will not notice there is a problem with their pet until they are not eating.

Professional dental cleaning should still be done regularly by your vet at your pet care center. A professional teeth cleaning can assess your pet’s dental health and can prevent severe health problems.

Your pet care center will be able to provide you with valuable information on how to clean your pet’s teeth. Dental treats are a great way to fool your dog into doing some oral hygiene. Not all dogs will tolerate their teeth being brushed. During professional dog teeth cleaning, general anesthesia will allow your pet care professional to clean above and below the gumline.

For dogs between the ages of one to three, a yearly cleaning is strongly recommended. As your dog ages, your dog may need to come in every six months, because older animals are more prone to advanced dental diseases and tooth loss.

Your dog is reliant on your for their shelter, food, and care. It is your goal to take care of your dog to ensure that they live a pain-free, happy, and healthy life. If you have any concerns about your pet’s teeth, or notice them chewing oddly, drooling a lot, and not eating food, please contact your pet care center immediately.