Top 3 Dog Dental Health Tips

February is National Pet Dental Health Month

Keeping your pets' teeth clean and their gums healthy is important for more than just pleasant breath. Many veterinarians feel that oral disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in dogs. Most dogs should receive professional dental health care by age two to three years. By age three, 80% of dogs are showing some symptoms of oral disease. Although dogs rarely get cavities, they are prone to gum disease and excess tartar build-up on the teeth. While the frequency of dental examinations and the need for scaling depends on how quickly tartar forms on the dog's teeth, below are some dental health tips that every dog can benefit from.

3 Tips to Promote Dog Dental Health

1. Brush their Teeth

   
   Petrodex® Finger Toothbrush Gloves
   

   Just like in humans, food particles and bacteria collect along our pet's gum line and form plaque. Brushing your pet's teeth can remove this plaque. Try to brush the teeth and gums three times a week using a toothpaste made for dogs. Do not use toothpaste made for humans. Its foaming action is unpleasant to dogs, and dogs cannot spit and rinse after using it. Pair these DentaMed Dual-End Pet Toothbrush with DentaMed Pet Toothpaste, or for an easier option, try Petrodex's Finger Toothbrush Gloves or Davis Dental Wipes.

2. Use Dog Dental Tools

   If the plaque is not removed, tartar will begin to form on the teeth. Tartar is irritating to the gums and causes gingivitis. At this point, it is necessary to remove the plaque with special instruments called dental scalers or tooth scrapers. If the tartar is not removed, it will build up under the gums and encourage more bacterial growth. Your pet may then develop periodontal disease. This can lead to loose teeth, painful abscesses, bone loss, or infection. This infection can cause damage to the heart valves, liver, and kidneys. Your pet would then need to be treated by your veterinarian to slow or stop the periodontal disease.

3. Provide Dental Chews & Treats

   Dog dental chews and treats are a great way to promote dental hygiene in between teeth brushing. Plus, tossing your dog a dental treat is often much easier than wrestling them down for a teeth cleaning! We recommend the Nylabone® Dental Chew Bone for a long-lasting chew toy, and Greenies® and Ora-Bone Dental Treats are among our favorite edible dental treats.

Follow Guidelines

In addition to the tips above, follow these guidelines at home:

Nylabone Dental Chew Bone

• Feed a dry kibble diet. Dry foods are abrasive and keep the teeth clean. If you prefer to feed canned food, offer some dry biscuits or cookies daily.
• Avoid feeding chicken bones and long bones that splinter.
• Schedule annual veterinary visits for cleaning and, if necessary, scaling. A yearly check-up is the best prevention against dental problems.

These are all first-line-of-defense measures that you can take to ensure your pet will have a healthy dental life. Check out Jeffers Pet's full line of canine dental care supplies to help your dog have a healthy mouth. Want to learn more about dog dental health?

Check out Jeffers' blog on Dog Dental Care Products and Tips.

Renee Jones-Lewis is a certified professional dog trainer, having received instruction from canine behaviorist Dr. Pamela Reid, plus nationally acclaimed trainers: Patricia McConnell, Pia Silvani, and Jean Donaldson, to name a few. She serves as a Pet Marketing and Canine Specialist for Jeffers Pet. Questions about this article, training, or non-emergent health concerns are welcome. Renee can be reached most days from 9am – 5pm Central Time (Mon-Fri) at 1-800-533-3377 ext 381 or by email rsjones@jefferspet.com.

Information given here is meant to be helpful and/or educational. It is, in no way, intended to supersede, challenge or supplant the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a licensed veterinarian.