Taking Care of Your Dog's Teeth

Cleaning your dog's teeth should be an important part of their routine as their teeth and gums are as prone to disease as human teeth are. Diet is one factor which can influence the health of a dog's teeth. They require a balanced diet that contains enough calcium and phosphorous to aid bone development which helps their teeth and jaws.

There is a wide range of dried food available which contains all the dietary requirements for your dog to remain healthy. Dry biscuits tend to be better for their teeth and gums as the chewing motion creates a cleaning effect. Ask your vet which would be the best type of food as there are special veterinary foods on the market formulated to reduce the build up of plaque.

Special dental chews and toys are available which can help keep your dog's teeth clean and free from plaque and tartar, and can be given as a treat on a daily basis. Rawhide is an especially good chew because it acts as a natural toothbrush and loosens any plaque, as well as exercising their jaws. The dental toys available will do the same, and most of them will be made from some type of rubber or hard nylon which will grind against the teeth, loosening any plaque that might have accumulated.

Another way to keep your dog's smile shining is to brush their teeth on a regular basis as it can help ward off plaque which can quickly build up on teeth. Plaque takes the form of a yellowish brown colour when it hardens, and this is known as tartar. If the tartar builds up it changes to a grey colour and forms a hard surface on the tooth. In severe cases the tartar can cause inflammation of the gum which is known as gingivitis, and your dog could be at risk of bacteria from this entering their bloodstream and causing problems to the kidneys, heart and liver.

Gingivitis can lead to periodonitis which is caused by the build up of food, plaque and bacteria. It looks like an off-white film on the dog's teeth and gums, and if left can be hard to remove. This can loosen your dog's teeth as the gums become infected and inflamed, and the periodonitis can seep into the periodontal ligament, the fibres that hold the teeth in place in the gums. The gums may then start to bleed when pressure is applied.

To minimise the chance of your dog incurring any dental problems you should brush their teeth regularly. As with any training it's a good idea for your dog to be used to having their teeth cleaned from an early age as possible.

The first time you clean your dog's teeth you must make sure they are relaxed. It might be an idea to start with a specially designed strip of gauze which you can buy from a pet shop or your vet. Wrap the gauze around your index finger and gently lift the upper lip on one side of their mouth. Rub the exposed teeth with your finger so your dog becomes familiar with you touching their teeth. When you have done both sides give your dog a reward.

When your dog has become accustomed to this, progress to a special dog toothbrush. The bristles should have rounded tips and be fairly firm, but not too firm that it damages the tissue around their gums. Dip the toothbrush in warm water at first to enable your dog to familiarise themselves with the brush. As with the gauze, gently lift the upper lip and start brushing the exposed teeth slowly in a circular motion. It's important to make sure you brush along the gum line as this is where the plaque builds up. If your dog is willing, open their mouth a little further so you can reach the back teeth, but if they resist then don't force them as their tongue actually cleans the insides of their teeth anyway. Again, finish the brushing with a reward.

The next step is to use toothpaste on the brush. Do not use human toothpaste as it is not designed to be swallowed, and you cannot expect your dog to spit out the paste! It's a good idea to make sure the toothpaste is an enzymatic type as this will help to break down any plaque that builds up on the teeth. Various flavours are available from pet shops and your vet such as mint, poultry and malt, and they are all safe to be swallowed. You only need a pea-sized amount of paste and make sure it is pushed firmly into the bristles so your dog will not lick it off. You need to put paste onto the brush for each side of the dog's mouth and brush in a circular motion.

If you are not able to brush your dog's teeth then a visit to the vet's could help where they can give you advice on what to do such as giving your dog daily dental chews and toys, and maybe adjusting their diet. If they feel your dog is at risk from infection or other dental diseases they may suggest giving your dog a general anaesthetic so they can remove any tartar with an ultrasonic scaling machine, and check the teeth are healthy.

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