Dogs with toothbrushes may be an image of comedy gold but it is also a necessary aid for your dogs oral health. I often wonder how animals and especially dogs maintain their teeth; I would just assume that they had some tooth replacement method or naturally strong teeth too. We are taught as we grow up to maintain oral hygiene to stave off a number of diseases such as gingivitis or decay. Of course, we can not educate dogs this way, but keeping their teeth and gums hygienic is just as important to our canine friends.
Luckily many methods for maintaining oral hygiene in your dog do not involve you getting your hands covered in saliva although there are exceptions (more on the doggy toothbrush later). Oral hygiene for your canine pet is important, find out more from Vet Products Direct about dog dental products
Using your dogs diet to keep teeth clean
Perhaps the most important is simple nutrition, because just like with humans a poor diet for your dog can have side effects in the mouth. Selecting the right pet food can help to stave away any nasty oral germs or diseases, and a mixed diet is advisable. Soft foods are OK, but not in excess because there is no abrasion to remove excess plaque. Adding simple dog biscuits or the classic pooch favourite bone can act as an abrasive aid to your pet, while there are also biscuits and chews that specifically cater for oral hygiene. Check the perfect toothbrush for dogs perfectly for your pet
Beware of teeth cleaning toys that can damage gums
Playing games with your dog can be great fun, and a family experience, but there are dangers to your dogs oral hygiene. We all love playing fetch with a ball or stick or letting our pooch join in with a small ball game, but these foreign objects can cause problems to teeth and gums. Balls such as tennis balls wear down the teeth while sticks, although a doggy favourite can splinter and cause severe damage to gums. Luckily these activities do not need to stop as there are plenty of dog-friendly accessories available that have the safety of your pets teeth and gums in mind. Vet Products Direct offers a range of dental toys for dogs perfect for your pet.
Dental accessories for dogs
Toothbrushes are available from pet stores and most vet clinics and they are very much the same as the ones we use, while there is also toothpaste for dogs. Be cautious to not use human toothpaste as dogs cannot spit and the fluoride content of our toothpaste is too high and will make for an uncomfortable experience for your dog. Of course, most dogs are a bundle of energy so unless you have a docile pooch it is better to start brushing teeth from a young age so that the animal gets used to it.
Other dog dental problems
Just like us, age can play a part in your dog's teeth and gums. And just like us there is little you can do once the teeth start to go, although a good oral hygiene regime will prolong problems in most and stop in some. You will also have to take into account what breed your dog is, just like with personality, different dog breeds are actually quite individual and some are more susceptible to dental problems than others.
As well as oral hygiene you and your dog will have something else to worry about if your pet has problems with heartworm, intestinal worm, or fleas. Sentinel Spectrum is great prevention for these problems and is easy to administer thanks to its lovely beef flavour (I haven't tried it). Find out more dog supplies from Vet Products Direct
