Keeping Your Canine's Choppers Clean

If you just acquired a dog, you will most likely want to take the needed steps in keeping it healthy and happy. Oral hygiene is an important part of caring for your new pet as failure to tend to teeth can lead to a multitude of health problems. Keeping their teeth and gums clean will alleviate the accumulation of tartar, which can contribute to gum disease. Gum disease leads to possible bacterial infection which has a direct impact on the bloodstream and could lead to to the loss of teeth as a result. Here are some tips you can use to ensure your pet's teeth are kept clean in an attempt to reduce health risks.

Take Your Pet To A Veterinarian Regularly

When you take your dog to a veterinarian for routine well-visits, part of their assessment will be of their teeth and gums. The veterinarian will inspect the condition of the teeth and make recommendations on how to better care for them if there appears to be a problem with their appearance. A scraping and polishing of the teeth will be done at each visit to remove excess tartar from the teeth as well as instantly whiten them in the process. If your pet shows signs of constant bad breath, pawing at their mouth, or red gums between well-visits, call your veterinarian to have their teeth checked for problems.

Purchase Chew Toys To Aid In Tartar Removal

Dogs enjoy chewing on a variety of items. Invest in a few rubber chew toys to help in tartar removal. Toys should be made of thick rubber with grooves or bumps in their construction. These will rub against the teeth, removing bacteria effectively as the dog plays with them. Make sure the toys you select are not too rigid as they will be difficult for your pet to grasp onto. Rawhide or knucklebones are also effective in removing tartar. Dogs tend to like the taste of these bones and will gnaw upon them, cleaning their teeth in the process.

Check Out Toothpastes, Food Choices, And Water Additives

A trip to your local pet supply center will allow you to browse a selection of products made to help in tooth care. A meat-flavored toothpaste can be applied to your dog's choppers with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Many dog foods are made to help with oral care as well. Hard treats work well at whisking away excess debris from the teeth while providing your pet with a healthy snack in the process. If your pet does not care for these foods, consider using an oral water additive. This liquid can be added directly to your pet's water bowl to help keep teeth clean. 

For more information, talk to a professional like Kenmore Veterinary Hospital.


Share