SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Dog Care
Dog Care Tips
Basic
Tooth Care For Your Dog
Many people do not realize the importance of caring for their
dog’s teeth. As dogs age, the need for dental care increases.
The best way to ensure proper dental health for your dog
is to start while they are very young.
Many
dogs do not like their mouths touched. It is important
for you as a dog owner to desensitize them to being handled
like this at a very young age. The veterinarian is always going
to need to examine your dog’s mouth and you do not want to
have problems with this. The best way for you to get your dog
used to having his mouth touched is to begin touching it when
you first get your pup. Make sure to touch the lips, open the
mouth, and touch the teeth in a calm and relaxing way for about
five minutes each day until your pup is used to being handled
in this way. Make this a regular part of your interaction with
your dog so he remains calm when you are doing any kind of
preventive dental care.
Most
veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily. Many manufacturers make special toothpaste and brushes for
dogs. You do not ever want to use human toothpaste on dogs
as it may be harmful to them. To get your dog used to having
his teeth brushed, you may want to start by putting a dab of
dog toothpaste on a cotton ball and rubbing it over his teeth.
Toothpaste for dogs is usually quite tasty to them, so he shouldn’t
mind this. You can then try a finger brush, available at your
veterinarian’s office or pet supply store. Eventually, especially
for larger breeds, you will want to graduate to a regular dog
toothbrush. Regular brushing will help prevent the buildup
of calculus and debris on your dog’s teeth.
Another way to help prevent calculus and buildup on your dog’s
teeth is by using rawhide chews specially formulated for dental
care. Many companies manufacture these chews. One of the best
available is by C.E.T. Most veterinarians carry C.E.T. dental
health products. C.E.T. chews are formulated with an enzyme
that helps keep plaque from forming and prevents the buildup
of bacteria. Also, the natural abrasion of rawhide chews helps
keep teeth healthy. C.E.T. also makes a chew that contains
chlorhexadine which has antimicrobial properties.
Some companies also make special dental health food, which
may be recommended to you by your veterinarian to help prevent
dental problems.
Even with proper preventive measures, most dogs will eventually
need a dental cleaning from your veterinarian. If your veterinarian
recommends a dental cleaning, it is important that you follow
through. If your dog develops dental disease, harmful bacteria
can pass through into the bloodstream causing potentially serious
problems such as kidney infections and infections involving
the heart valves.
A dental cleaning performed by your veterinarian is much like
a human dental cleaning, however your dog will need to be sedated.
The anesthesia is light and with today’s technology is extremely
safe. Many veterinarians have anesthesia monitoring systems
just like those used in human medicine. A thorough exam will
be performed to determine if any teeth need to be pulled or
repaired. Some veterinarians will do x-rays of the teeth to
find any cracks or diseased teeth. After this, a trained member
of the veterinary staff will perform a dental cleaning. First,
they will scale the teeth to remove the tartar above and below
the gum line. This will be done with both hand instruments
and ultrasonic scaling equipment. After this, the teeth will
be polished, which will make them smooth and help prevent plaque
from adhering to them. Most veterinarians will also do a fluoride
treatment. This is to help strengthen the enamel and prevent
plaque from forming. If any teeth are diseased or broken, your
veterinarian may pull them. Some veterinarians who specialize
in dental care will perform root canals and other intensive
dental work. Most veterinarians will put your dog on a treatment
of antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infection.
It is very important to take good care of your dog’s teeth
to keep them healthy and to prevent infections. Always follow
your veterinarian’s advice and if you have further questions,
consult your veterinary staff or pet professional.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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