You’ve probably heard that dogs have a cleaner mouth than humans. But have you ever wondered if it actually is? Then the answer is “NO”. Comparing your dog’s mouth to yours, is “like comparing apples and oranges” says Colin Harvey, Executive Secretary at the American Veterinary Dental College. Negligence of our dog’s dental health can cause periodontal diseases at their young age. Hence, it is important that we take our dogs for a dental check-up regularly.
Improper cleaning and ignorance of maintaining dental hygiene can lead to a variety of diseases like tooth decay, tooth loss, bacterial growth and bad breath. Oral hygiene plays a vital role in your dog’s overall health.
Here are few reasons why you should maintain your pooch’s dental hygiene.
- Avoid Bad Breath:
Bad breath in dogs, also called halitosis, is caused by plaque build-up. It also encourages the growth of harmful bacteria which can disrupt the chemical composition of your puppy’s saliva. The irregular oral microbe growth will cause bad breath. So, it is important to brush your pooch’s teeth regularly with proper dog-specific products.
2. Prevent tooth loss:
Over years, your dog’s dental structure can corrode or get infected due to several reasons ranging from the wrong diet to the growth of bacteria in the mouth. This can become a serious issue and result in teeth loss. Check if your dog shows any of these signs: broken tooth, excessive drooling or bleeding gums. If found, rush to the veterinarian for a proper dental examination. If you do not attend to the concerns, your dog can develop issues with food intake which can directly affect their nutrition. So, we should ensure to prioritize dental care for a healthy life.
3.Protects from long-term health conditions:
When we do not tend to attend the dental problems, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, causing damage to the dog’s kidneys, liver or sometimes, their heart. This process is medically known as Bacteraemia. The symptoms for this infection are usually fever, low blood pressure, gastrointestinal problems or rapid heart rate. Always check that your dog’s oral hygiene is good to avoid such complications.
4. Avoids difficulties caused by baby teeth:
Like humans, dogs also lose their baby teeth once they are fully grown! They start to have 42 adult teeth but for that to take place, the baby teeth have to fall out properly. Sometimes, either the teeth won’t fall out or it could cause more pain to dogs. So, if you are not taking care of your dog’s dental health seriously, it can lead to gum irritation and tartar build-up.
5. Early identification for a happy dog:
Developing dental health issues at a young age can make it hard for your dogs to eat and chew. It might not be very evident because dogs are good at hiding their pain. You will not be able to see signs of pain until the problem advances to a severe level. So, scheduling for regular dental check-ups will help you maintain their oral health.
6. Brushing can control their overall health:
Dogs tend to lick and eat stuff that is rather nasty or dirty. To ward of illness, you can brush their teeth regularly. If it is not possible, provide them with dental supplements or dental treats to keep their teeth clean. If you start this habit in the early stages of their life, dogs get used to the routines.
Apart from this, you can maintain your dog’s dental health by brushing their teeth. This prevents the build-up of tartar and infections. Buy proper dog-specific toothpaste and an appropriate toothbrush to use. You can reward them with Oscar Daisy’s healthy treats to make them cooperate. But before you proceed with any products, consult your vet for proper usage.
If you feel that your dental care for dogs is not sufficient, take them to veterinarians who can help you with a proper diagnosis of oral health. Some veterinarians offer assistance to do dental cleaning for dogs. It could cost you more, but it is important to keep infections at bay. Hence, caring for your dog’s dental health can help them maintain a healthy lifestyle.