Regular vet visit? Check! 

Grooming appointment? Check! 

Dental checkup? Wait, what? 

Dental visits aren’t  just for us humans; pet parents need to remember that good dental hygiene should be part of your pet’s annual checkup. To address the significance of oral health care for pets, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sponsors National Pet Dental Health Month every February. Pet dentists want to draw attention to some serious health issues pets may go through due to ill oral health, especially when most owners notice an oral issue when it’s too late. This February, Going Mutts wants to help you take a bigger role with your pet’s oral hygiene by giving you tips on how to stay on top of pet dental care.

Periodontal disease is the most common dental disease in dogs that is highly preventable with the right tools. But what is periodontal disease? This dental disease is caused by the accumulation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, which triggers inflammation within the gums. Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect teeth, but the surrounding structures, including the gums and bones. This can result in gum infections, bone loss and if left untreated, tooth decay and loss along with other serious health issues. 

There are some signs of dental disease you can be on the lookout for with your dog, which include: 

• Bad breath

• Yellow or brown crust on the surface of the tooth

• Bleeding gums

• Change in chewing habits

• Tooth loss

• Drooling

Checking your dog’s gums every few weeks is a great way to be proactive in staying on top of any dental diseases that may invade your dog's mouth. Their gums should be pink; if they are white, red or swollen you may want to schedule a visit with your veterinarian to see what is happening. When looking at their teeth, they should be clean without any brown tartar buildup. Usually tooth decay will start with a plaque buildup that hardens into tartar on their teeth. If the plaque and tartar are left untreated below the gumline, it can become difficult to remove and ultimately damages the tooth, leading your dog to having periodontal disease.

While periodontal disease may be the most common dental disease for your dog, it is highly preventable as we mentioned earlier. Becoming proactive in your dog’s dental routine can have a huge impact on their overall health and will keep them from having to deal with any oral pain related to poor dental hygiene. Check out our five ways you can ‘keep pup’ with a clean and healthy mouth for your dog.

Brushing your dog's teeth: While you don’t need to brush your dog’s teeth daily, the more often the better! Most dogs are not fond of it at first, but just like training your dog to have their nails trimmed, you can train your dog to have their teeth brushed. You will want to find a toothpaste that is meant just for dogs - human toothpaste can contain toxic ingredients for your pup. Usually dog toothpaste will come in flavors such as peanut butter or chicken. You can either use a dog toothbrush or a finger brush that fits over your fingertip to help brush their teeth, but make sure you ask your veterinarian for advice on how to start brushing your dog's teeth and which toothbrush would work best.

Dog tooth wipes: If you’re unable to brush your dog's teeth with a toothbrush or you just want to switch up your brushing routine, then dog dental wipes might be a good option for you. Tooth wipes are meant to be wiped against your dog's teeth to help remove plaque but they don’t get in between the nooks of the teeth like a toothbrush does. They are a great way to help keep up with cleaning your dog’s teeth and are often easier to manage than a toothbrush with toothpaste on it. 

Dog dental treats: These treats are made specifically to remove plaque buildup and often include ingredients that freshen your dog’s breath as well. They do a great job of keeping your dog’s mouth clean and are much more preferred than a toothbrush in their mouth. Treats come in different sizes, shapes and flavors so you are sure to find something that your dog will enjoy! 

Dog chews: Yes, there are hundreds of different dog chews out there but most of them have teeth-cleaning properties you may not have been aware of. The act of chewing actually helps with dental hygiene no matter what they are chewing on because the gnawing helps to scrape plaque off your dog’s teeth. Many all natural chews made from meat contain enzymes that help to promote dental health. If you are looking for something for your dog to chew on without the extra calories, rubber or nylon dog chew toys work great.

Professional cleanings: Working on dental health at home is definitely a bonus when it comes to your pet, but you can also look into professional cleanings by your veterinarian. The first step is having your vet perform a dental exam to confirm that your dog needs a dental cleaning. A dental cleaning visit consists of a thorough dental examination, teeth cleaning and polishing to remove the tartar and periodontal disease-causing plaque. Pet owners should know that this is usually done with your dog under general anesthesia. 

Remember that not everything happens overnight, so take things slow with your dog if you are just introducing a toothbrush and toothpaste to them. Keeping them comfortable and calm will go a long way when following a dental routine, and always give lots of love, praise and rewards along the way! Oral hygiene is important for everyone; two-legged and four-legged friends. So keep yourself aware of how your dog's mouth is doing as frequently as you stay aware of your own mouth to keep them from having to go down a painful and unhealthy road. 

Keeping up with your dog’s oral hygiene can be tricky, but keeping up with your dog’s physical health doesn’t have to be! Let us help you with your dog’s overall health by giving them the exercise they need daily. Going Mutts Pet Services is here for all of your daily dog walking (and pet sitting) needs throughout the week. Drop us an email and we would love to set up a free meet ‘n greet to talk about how we can help you with your dog’s walking needs!

Sources:

https://cabbagetownpetclinic.com/2020/03/02/the-importance-of-dental-health/

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/dental-cleaning-in-dogs

https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/periodontal-disease-in-dogs