Do you love your dog, but his bad breath is so off-putting that you have to turn your head away? Don’t look the other way, do something about it. Bad breath and unhealthy gums and teeth are preventable and shouldn’t be left until you see the vet again – you need to do something about it now. The old saying remains so true: prevention is better than cure!
How do I know if my dog’s teeth are unhealthy?
If your dog had a toothache, would you know? If his gums were receding and painful, could you tell? Probably not. Your pet may be in chronic pain, but you wouldn’t know it. Why? Dogs have evolved to hide such chronic pain. Their animal instinct is not to show signs of weakness.
Detecting dental disease in your dog can be as simple as opening his mouth, looking at his teeth and gums, and smelling his breath. The telltale signs that your dog’s teeth are unhealthy include:
- Bad breath, which is a sign of plaque and bacterial build-up, and can be the first indicator of dental problems.
- Red, swollen or bleeding gums.
- Growths on the gums.
- Increased drooling.
- Pawing at the mouth.
- Swelling of the face underneath the eye/s.
- A build-up of yellowish-brown, plaque-like deposits and tartar on the teeth.
- Reluctance to eat or difficulty when eating and subsequent weight loss.
- Nasal discharge or sneezing.
- Loose teeth.
What could happen if I don’t take care of his teeth?
The importance of proper preventative dental care cannot be emphasised enough. Failure to do so can trigger a series of devastating dental issues. The first would be plaque formation. What makes plaque such a threat, is in the way it attacks the animal’s dental health. As soon as your dog has eaten, the bacteria in your dog’s mouth combines with saliva, food and other particles to form a sticky film.
How can I keep my dog’s teeth healthy?
- Make sure you feed your pet good quality pet food, which will not only nourish the body, but also ensure stronger teeth. Foods to avoid are those made with by-products, such as meals and cereal grains, which tend to stick to the teeth.
- Rather offer fruit and veggie snacks, which assist in cleaning the plaque off the dog’s teeth.
- Other options are dried meat treats – those assist in cleaning teeth during the chewing action.
- Your dog might also enjoy chewy toys made from rubber or nylon. Choose your dog’s toys with care. Do NOT give your dog cow hooves or raw hide chews. These often result in tooth or gum damage, and should your dog swallow a piece, it could result in an obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.
- The best thing you can do for your dog, is to brush his teeth daily with a specially formulated pet toothpaste. Your dog will also require a specially designed pet toothbrush or alternatively, a soft baby toothbrush.
Do I have to brush my dog’s teeth? Can’t I just give him oral treats?
Yes, you have to brush your dog’s teeth! Home dental care is one of the best ways to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Start as early as possible in your furry friend’s life, so that he will become accustomed to the brushing process.
- NEVER use human toothpaste, which can irritate your pooch’s stomach. By brushing daily, you remove most of the trouble-causing plaque, which, if left on the teeth, can turn into cement-hard tartar in as little as 36 hours. Tartar can only be removed by your veterinarian with specialised scaling equipment.
- Long-lasting treats have proved to be the best, because the most benefit is seen if your dog chews for at least 30 minutes at a time. Many so-called ‘oral treats’ are high in fat, sugar and cereal grains, which do more harm than good. So, make sure that you know what the ingredients in these treats are. If you’re not sure, ask your vet.
