Just like it is for humans, a dog’s dental health is very important to pay attention to. However, just like it is for humans, it is something that is often overlooked.
It is important to take care of a dog’s teeth because maintaining a dog’s teeth to be healthy will significantly reduce the risk of oral diseases later on in a dog’s life. Moreover, untreated dental diseases have the potential to cause loss of tooth and other painful infections.
Another very concerning fact about a dog’s dental diseases is how it can actually trigger systemic diseases. If a pet has an ongoing dental disease, bacteria will grow within the mouth and oral tissues. These oral bacterias can enter the bloodstream and affect distant organs such as the heart, liver, kidneys; and it may even affect the respiratory system! This makes it even more imperative to take care of your dog’s dental health.
The most ideal way to take care of your dog’s teeth is to brush their teeth daily. Just like for us, the most optimal frequency to brush a dog’s teeth is twice a day. However, veterinarians recommend that dog owner’s brush a dog’s teeth at minimum of three times per week.
While brushing your dog’s teeth might seem like a potentially annoying experience, it is something that dog’s will eventually get used to. Just like teaching a child to get accustomed to the idea of brushing their teeth, dogs also take time to get acclimated to the concept of cleansing its teeth. Once you’ve reached that phase, brushing your dog’s teeth will no longer be a struggle.
Another important thing to note about a dog’s dental health is how to see if there is something wrong with your dog. The first and easiest indication is your dog’s breath. Dog naturally don’t have the best smelling mouth, but if it has terrible breath it might be an indication of oral disease. That could mean anything from decaying teeth to other periodontal diseases.
A second way to check the health of your dog’s teeth is from its gums. A dog’s gums should be pink. If your dog’s gums are either white, red, or swollen, it is a sign that something’s not right with their teeth and gums.
If you also see your dog in a lethargic mood, or maybe unwilling to eat, it may also be a sign of dental diseases. This might be caused by build up of tartar, plaque, or bacteria after years of not being checked and/or cleaned.
All the complexities of diseases that might be linked to a dog’s teeth and gums further emphasizes the importance of checking your dog’s teeth routinely. Always remember to take care of your dog’s teeth by at least brushing them regularly; and should you find anything suspicious about its teeth, be quick to schedule a visit to a veterinarian!