According to the American Veterinary Dental Society more than 98% of dogs with bad breath suffer from gum disease, and 80% of our canine friends develop it before they are three-years-old. Dental problems are painful and can become costly to treat, but left untreated…they can shorten your dog’s life! Bacteria that get into the bloodstream can damage internal organs such as the heart, liver, lungs, brain and kidneys. An average-sized dog that has his teeth brushed daily can live to be fifteen- to seventeen-years-old; that same dog without dental care will most likely live to be only eleven.
What Can Happen?
Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris creates plaquewhich hardens on the teeth and turns to tartar within 48 hours. Redness or inflammation (gingivitis) soon appears at the gum line followed by pockets of infection that separate the teeth from the gum (periodontitis) and send bacteria into the bloodstream. The number one thing YOU can do to help your dog or cat live a longer, healthier life is to brush his teeth at least every other day. Less than that is not helping your pet.
How to Get Started
Make it a fun bonding time for you and your canine. Find a comfortable spot, don’t hold your dog too tightly and do it when you are in a patient mood. The first few times, dip your finger in low-salt chicken broth and just rub your dog’s gums to get him used to your fingers in his mouth. Adult supervision is imperative no matter how sweet and loving your dog may be.
After a few days of finger massaging, purchase a tooth brush and tooth paste specifically for your pet. A child’s brush is too rough for tender canine gums and never use human toothpaste since it contains detergent…that’s why humans spit; dogs don’t know how.
Place your hand around your dog’s or cat's muzzle (you can actually keep his mouth closed), lift his cheek on one side and in a circular motion, brush the outsides of the top and bottom teeth – 30 seconds on the top set, 30 seconds on the bottom and then move to the other side. If Fido is reluctant, just do a few teeth, praise him and reward him with a treat. Then try again the next day until he lets you clean his entire mouth. Animals don’t build up tartar on the insides as badly as humans do, so if you’re cleaning the outsides of his teeth and gums, you’re doing a good job.
Additionally, make sure your veterinarian checks your dog’s teeth once a year. He or she can professionally clean them to remove bacteria from beneath the gum line. If you have an older pet, a tiny pet or one you are concerned about giving anesthesia too, check out an anesthesia-free service. Just make sure your dog gets the professional attention he deserves.
In between brushings, treat your pup to raw fruits and vegetables to clean his teeth naturally. Large raw bones are okay to gnaw on but never cooked ones which can splinter. Regardless of the treat, always supervise your pet so that food doesn’t become a choking hazard
When you’re done, smile at your dog's 42 pearly whites or your kitty's 30 and feel proud you’re doing your best to take care of your four-legged best friend!
If You Notice These Signs, It's Time to Visit Your Veterinarian
Bad breath
Loose teeth
Visible tartar (brown or yellow stains)
Swelling under the eyes
Difficulty eating
Excessive drooling
Red, irritated, swollen or bleeding gums
Loss of appetite or weight loss
Lethargy or loss of energy
Dental VocabularyIncisors and Canines are sharp front teeth used to grasp, pick-up and tear meat.
Pre-Molars, found immediately behind the canines, vary in shape and size and are later replaced by an adult set.
Molars replace the Pre-Molars when your dog reaches adulthood. They are the back flat teeth used for chewing, gnawing and crushing bones
Interesting Facts
Dogs are born toothless but grow puppy teeth in their first two to three weeks. At around eight-weeks-old, a puppy should have a full set of twenty-eight teeth (this varies slightly in some breeds), consisting of pre-molars, incisors and canines.
Beginning at three-months of age, puppies start to lose their first set of teeth.
Adult teeth become visible within a few days of losing a tooth and soon your puppy will begin chewing on everything in sight! This is important though as it takes several months for his teeth to settle in, and he must exercise his gums. Provide him with appropriate things to chew on with different textures and consistencies…hard, soft, smooth, rough even ice or a frozen bagel. Just supervise so that he does not swallow or choke on any object.
An adult dog has forty-two teeth: twenty-two on the lower jaw (mandible) and twenty on the upper jaw (maxilla) consisting of twelve incisors, four canines, sixteen pre-molars and four molars on the upper jaw and six molars on the lower jawGood To Know
Toothaces can make anyone grouchy! If your dog suddenly develops a behavioral problem, have him checked out by your Veterinarian. Pain and other medical issues can result in bad behavior, not a bad dog.
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