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Canine Dental Care

By: Mike Roberts Many people don't realize that dental hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for human beings. Just like with people, dogs' teeth can gather plaque after a meal. As plaque builds up and hardens, it becomes a coarse brown substance called tartar.

As tartar accumulates it can work its way under the gums and cause painful infections and gum disease. This goes on in the mouths of dogs just like it does in people. You brush your teeth every day, probably three times. What does your dog do?

Teeth Brushing for Doggies

Most Veterinarians will recommend that dog owners brush their dog's teeth at least twice a week to keep that buildup of tartar to a minimum. Many pet supply stores carry specially designed toothbrushes and toothpaste just for dogs.

A dog's sense of taste and smell is far more acute than that of a human so keep in mind that the zesty, tingly, mint taste of toothpastes for people will be extremely unpleasant to a dog. Try brushing Fido's teeth with Crest just once and it will likely be the last time he lets you anywhere near him with a toothbrush. Always use the specially designed doggie toothpaste.

Try A Dental Chew

Perhaps you don't have the time or patience to brush you dogs' teeth on a regular basis. If not then you will want to care for his teeth in another way. A dog's natural tendency to chew can be your built-in dental care mechanism. Dog biscuits break into small chunks when chewed and rub against the teeth, providing a cleaning service.

There's no substitute for brushing your dog's teeth, but if you can't do that, make sure he gets some sort of crunchy dog biscuit on a regular basis.

Mouth Diseases in Dogs

Dogs that do not receive proper dental care and do not have access to crunchy teeth cleaning foods run the risk of several types of mouth disease. These can be as mild as gingivitis (a gum disease that results in swollen, inflamed gums) and as serious as a bacterial infection that can spread through the dog's bloodstream causing damage to vital organs. You owe it to yourself and your dog to take care of his teeth.

Doggie Dentistry

Dental services are available for dogs, just like they are for you. A dog's teeth can be filled, capped, and extracted if necessary, just like ours. The best course of action, however, is to avoid the need for such services by properly caring for your dog's teeth.

Its always best to avoid the unnecessary pain and discomfort of poor dental care with your dog. And remember, preventative canine dental care can save you money as well since most dental procedures can be quite costly.