A growing number of dog owners are unaware that dental care is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Dogs’ teeth, like people’s, can accumulate plaque after eating. Tartar is gritty brown material that forms as plaque builds and hardens.

Tartar can drive under the gums and cause infections and gum disease as it accumulates. This happens in dogs’ mouths the same way it happens in people’s mouths. You’re brushing your teeth twice daily and possibly three times. So, what should your dog do?

Dental Care for Dogs

Regular teeth cleaning is an important part of protecting your dog’s dental health as a pet owner. Here‘s how you can keep your dog’s teeth in good shape.

Use Dental Chews

The teeth of many dogs are neglected by their owners because they lack the time or patience to do so. If you’re one of them, you’ll need to take a different approach to your dog’s teeth. Chewing is a very natural dental care practice for dogs.

Dog biscuits break into small pieces when they are chewed and massage the teeth, cleansing them. This isn’t a substitute for brushing your dog’s teeth, but if you can’t, make sure he gets crunchy dog biscuits regularly. Dental chews are widely available, and most dogs will happily eat them, helping clean their teeth without needing any further effort on your side.

Dog Mouth Problems

Dogs who do not receive proper dental care or have access to crunchy teeth-cleaning foods may develop various mouth problems. These can range from gingivitis (a gum problem that causes puffed-up, inflamed gums) to a bacterial infection that spreads through the dog’s bloodstream and impairs important organs. Preventing these diseases is far easier and less expensive than treating them, and the sooner you begin, the better. Visit emergency animal hospital Santa Rosa for more details about your dog’s health.

Dog Dental Surgery

Dogs, like people, can undergo dental operations. Many treatments are available, and teeth can be capped, filled, or extracted in the worst-case scenario. Although prevention is better than cure, our goal is to avoid the need for such procedures by properly caring for your dog’s teeth. If you can spare your pet from unnecessary pain and discomfort, you should. Preventive dental care for your dog can also save you money. Click here to find out more about pet dental surgery.

Dog Dental Hygiene

Dog owners should brush their dog’s teeth at least twice a week, according to veterinarians, to keep tartar accumulation to a minimum. Most pet supply stores provide toothbrushes and toothpaste specially made for dogs.

Remember that a dog’s sense of taste and smell is much stronger than a human’s, so the minty taste of toothpaste will be particularly unpleasant for dogs. Instead of using human toothpaste, use dog toothpaste flavored with poultry or meat. Check out this website for more information.

Conclusion

In addition to the care you provide at home, your pet needs special dental care from your veterinarian. Oral disease signs appear in 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by the age of three. Instead of waiting for an annual checkup, take your pet to a veterinarian for a dental exam if you suspect a problem.

Another step is to brush your pet’s teeth regularly to remove plaque. Lastly, arrange regular veterinary visits because these are essential in helping your veterinarian track your pet’s dental health improvement.