Dental problems in dogs
When your four-legged friend has healthy teeth and gums, they can get the most out of their food. They'll easily chew up their delicious kibble. But if they have toothache, they'll quickly stop eating, and their metabolism will suffer.
Poor dental care doesn't just affect the mouth; the bacteria caused by dental disease can eventually enter your dog's bloodstream and potentially damage its heart, liver, or kidneys. So, what should you, as a loving dog owner, do to protect your pet's teeth?
Dental plaque
Bacteria are constantly forming in your dog's mouth. When this mixes with saliva and food debris, a sticky, colorless film (plaque) forms on the outside of their teeth, especially the premolars (teeth) and molars (teeth) in the upper jaw. It's important to remove this plaque from the teeth because if it remains and continues to build, it can harden and form tartar.
Periodontal diseases
When plaque remains on the teeth for three to five days, it forms other bonds, this time with the minerals in your dog's saliva. This hardens the plaque and turns into tartar, also called calculus. Tartar can irritate your dog's gums, causing gingivitis, swollen and red gums. This can lead to a... How do you clean your dog's teeth?
Cleaning your dog's teeth is important, as it can prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. When plaque remains on the teeth for three to five days, it binds with minerals in your dog's saliva, causing it to harden and turn into tartar. Tartar can irritate your dog's gums and create a rough surface where even more bacteria can settle. This causes gingivitis (swollen and red gums) and can lead to bad breath—which you'll likely notice! Keeping your dog's teeth clean can help remove plaque.
Ideally, you should aim to brush your dog's teeth every day, just like your own. But if that's not possible, try to pay attention to your dog's teeth and gums at least three to four times a week. Bad breath—something you'll probably notice pretty quickly! Dry dog food can help remove plaque and tartar, but you'll still need to supplement this with dental care.