Best ways to maintain your dog’s oral health
One of the most important aspects of your canine companion’s overall health is dental health. It’s entirely your responsibility to keep your dog’s pearly whites in good shape. Below are some of the best ways to maintain your dog’s oral health in good conditions.
Checking your dog’s teeth and gums regularly is one of the best ways to maintain your dog’s oral health. Sit down with your dog once a week or so and gently draw back the lips to reveal your dog’s teeth and gums. Inspect your dog’s teeth and gums and look for any redness, swelling and/or inflammation, misaligned or cracked teeth, bleeding, excessive brown-colored plaque build-up, and anything else that looks unusual. If you find something concerning, make sure you let your vet know.
Providing your dog with plenty of fun chew toys or tasty quality dog treats not only entertain your dog for hours on end, it also promotes great dental benefits. Chew toys and natural chew treats give your dog’s teeth and gums a solid workout, and the chewing action also helps scrape away plaques on your dog’s outer tooth surfaces. Marrow and knuckle bones are a top choice because they are gentler and softer on the teeth. And chew toys can provide dental benefits without the extra calories.
Make sure you monitor your dog when you give them chew toys or chew treats and remove the product when it became small enough to pose a choking hazard.
Another best way to keep your dog’s teeth and gums in healthy condition in the comfort of your own home is brushing their teeth on a regular basis. Choose a canine-formulated toothpaste which comes in dog friendly flavors like chicken or fish, and a pet toothbrush at your local pet shop. Massage your dog’s teeth and gums with your finger (while wearing gloves) to acclimate him to the sensation before starting to brush. Then introduce the toothpaste so he can get used to the smell and taste. You will be able to brush the entire mouth, effectively keeping the teeth clean and breath fresh with a little patience.
Commercial dental wipes are basically moist pads which you can use to rub the surface of your dog’s teeth and gums, whisking away food and helping reduce plaque and tartar buildup. Some are scented to offer breath-freshening benefits. You can also achieve similar results by twisting a gauze pad round your finger and moistening it slightly and rubbing it on your dog’s teeth and gum line. Be sure your dog is comfortable with mouth handling first. Abandon your efforts if your dog is showing signs of stress.
Your dog’s diet also has a great benefit to your dog’s dental health. The teeth and gums stay healthy when your pooch receives all of the necessary nutrients through his food. It is also important to have a steady supply of fresh water as it helps to flush out the mouth, remove food particles and other grime and ultimately keep your dog’s entire mouth healthy.
Another easy way to improve your dog’s oral health is by adding a spoonful of vet formulated mouthwash to their drinking water. It can help clean their mouth of bacteria, hardens their gums, reduces the amount of plaque and even give your dog a fresher breath. It also provides an all-round extra layer of protection for your dog’s oral hygiene and can help avoid more serious health problems. Make sure you only use vet formulated mouthwash as it is formulated especially for dogs.
Take your pet to your veterinary to have their teeth and gums inspected at least once a year. This will also help spot dental problems early on before they risk developing into a bacterial infection. There’s no substitute for professional dental cleanings by your local veterinarian so make sure you talk to your vet and set appointments for dental cleaning. Veterinary dental cleaning procedure is the ultimate way to keep your dog’s teeth and gums perfect conditions.
