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Why your dog's dental care is important
Who doesn't like to be enchanted by their four-legged friend's bright white smile? A well-groomed set of teeth is an expression of your dog's good health.
If your dog suffers from toothache or gum problems, he cannot chew his food properly. The result: the unchewed food releases too few nutrients. Uncared for teeth can also mean serious health problems for your furry friend.
In this article you will find out what you can do specifically for your dog's oral hygiene and whether you need to use a toothbrush.
Ouch, toothache! How to recognize the symptoms
The most unpleasant warning sign of dental problems is persistent bad breath - this can indicate plaque, for example. If your dog is suffering from toothache, this is often accompanied by a change in behavior - typical signs include depression, listlessness, whining, drooping ears or a tucked tail.
Eating habits can also change: for example, by rejecting chew snacks and dry food and preferring soft wet food.
If a dog suffering from toothache does manage to eat, he will often chew on one side only and tilt his head while chewing. He may also push the food around in his mouth, chatter his teeth, or shake his head. Scratching or rubbing the nose can also be signs that the dog has a toothache.
Also pay attention to the following symptoms:
- Purulent teeth
- fractures or fracture lines on teeth
- plaque (yellowish/brownish discoloration)
- Inflamed transition from the gum to the tooth or receding gums
- bleeding
- Pain reactions when palpating lips and gums
Advanced tooth infections can also lead to inflammation in the eye area and purulent nasal discharge.
Now it’s time to go to the veterinary clinic!
Dangers and diseases caused by uncared for teeth
bad breath
It is not normal for your dog to have bad breath. On the contrary, it indicates that there are too many unwanted bacteria in his mouth and that he urgently needs dental care.
Causes of bad breath:
- Feeding methods such as BARF (biologically appropriate raw meat feeding)
- food scraps
- Low-quality canned/wet food
The soft consistency of the food does not promote tooth abrasion - like high-quality dry food, for example. The result: white plaque forms. Leftover food and bacteria provide plaque with an ideal breeding ground. You should counteract the white plaque with regular dental care - otherwise, in combination with the minerals in your dog's saliva, tartar will form.
tartar:
Advanced tartar is characterized by yellow-brown deposits on the teeth. These must be removed by a veterinarian. Regular checks of the teeth are worthwhile: teeth that have been affected by tartar are more vulnerable.
gingivitis:
Tartar can lead to inflammation of the gums around the affected tooth. But it can get even worse: severe infestation can lead to the recession of the gums (periodontosis) and bone (periodontitis). The back molars and canines are particularly frequently affected.
Another cause of gingivitis is foreign bodies: chewing stones, sticks and other sharp objects promotes gum injuries and inflammation.
Treatment:
The veterinarian will perform a thorough dental cleaning, usually under anesthesia. An antibiotic is often also administered.
tooth loss:
The result of untreated periodontitis or periodontal disease can be tooth loss. But things can get even worse for your pet: the bacteria can enter the body through the mouth and damage internal organs (heart and kidneys).
Caries:
Tooth decay is not as common in dogs as it is in humans - it is encouraged by a diet high in sugar and dental plaque. You should remove dog food with sugar or added sugar from your four-legged friend's menu.
To prevent dental problems, only a regular dental hygiene routine helps!
Dental care for dogs – how to do it right
Regular dental care not only contributes to a beautiful set of teeth but also to the general health of your furry friend. The best method for cleaning teeth is - as with humans - brushing. This removes plaque and prevents tartar, periodontal disease and tooth decay. With special dog toothbrushes or finger cots made of silicone and a little patience, you can do something good for your four-legged friend - even if he probably doesn't appreciate it (at first). That's why it's important to get your animal used to brushing its teeth when it's still a puppy.
However, if your dog consistently refuses, you can use the following methods – or better yet – a combination of several methods:
Did you know? The risk of tartar formation is reduced by the increased binding of calcium in saliva. Therefore, you should always provide your dog with fresh drinking water. Drinking rinses the oral cavity and ensures that the saliva is not too viscous.
Chewing sticks: Chewing sticks remove some of the plaque and tartar through the abrasive effect. Important: Integrate the snacks into your dog's diet so that the total daily energy requirement is not exceeded.
Dry food: High-quality dry food ensures that plaque is removed when chewing due to its coarse structure. It not only strengthens the teeth, but also saliva production and thus stimulates digestion.
Supplementary feed: The active ingredients contained in special supplementary feed soften plaque so that it can be removed more easily by brushing or chewing. They also kill bacteria and ensure fresh breath.
Chew toys: Chew toys are specially designed to clean teeth mechanically: Integrated dental hygiene brushes made of soft silicone ensure that deposits are removed from the teeth while playing.
How to brush your dog's teeth properly
- Put dog toothpaste (special ingredients and meat flavor for better acceptance) on your finger and let your dog try it
- Gently pull up the lips and brush from the gums towards the teeth (with a dog toothbrush or finger cot)
- Brush from the canines to the molars on one side (only on the outside!)
- Repeat the process on the other side
- Brush your incisors carefully
- The most important thing: Praise your dog extensively and reward him with a cuddle!
teething in puppies
Like human children, puppies also have to go through the change of teeth: they are born without any teeth at first - from the third week of life, the 28 milk teeth break through. These are replaced by the adult teeth between the 3rd and 5th month of life. Depending on the breed of dog, the time it takes for the teeth to change can vary (it starts earlier in larger dogs than in small dogs). It usually takes about 3 months for all 42 teeth to appear. The change of teeth is often easier in larger dogs than in smaller breeds. Small dogs such as Chihuahuas tend to have persistent milk teeth (the milk tooth does not want to fall out even though the new tooth is already coming in). This can lead to misaligned teeth and a crooked bite.
For some puppies, teething leads to severe toothache, as the gums in particular are subjected to great stress during this time. The first signs of pain during teething are restlessness and poor sleeping habits. Raised temperature (fever), diarrhea or excessive salivation can also occur during teething.
Your little furry friend needs your loving attention now – the following measures will make it easier for him:
- Soak dry food with lukewarm water or switch to wet food
- Avoid tug-of-war games and anything that puts strain on the gums
- Massage the gums
- Special chew toys (chew sticks, Kong) for puppies distract him and help him get rid of his milk teeth
- Chewing bones, cow ears etc. taste good and the intensive chewing loosens the milk teeth
- Cool toys or chew sticks in the refrigerator – this will cool the sensitive gums while chewing
- Be lenient if your puppy chews on furniture during teething
Check your puppy's teeth:
- Are the teeth breaking through properly?
- Do you notice bleeding or inflammation in your mouth?
If in doubt, it's worth visiting the vet! A dog only changes teeth once in its life, so you should get it used to dental care from a young age to keep your pet's teeth intact. If your adult dog loses one or more of its teeth, you should have the cause determined at the veterinary clinic.
You should remember this
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Dr.Clauder's for successful dental care
Say goodbye to tartar and plaque with Dr. Clauder's dental care products:
Food emergency? The nutrition hotline helps
If you have any questions about animal nutrition, we will be happy to help you. Call us during our service hours or send us an email with your request:
- Telephone: 0800 / 474 476 0
- Email: hotline@dr-clauder.com
These are our service times:
- Monday and Wednesday 3 - 9 pm
- Tuesday and Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Friday 3 - 7 pm
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