August is here and it's Pet Dental Health Month! Dental disease is one of the most common conditions treated by veterinarians and it is estimated that over 80% of dogs aged over 3 years suffer from dental disease. Dogs are really good at hiding their pain so you may not realise your dog has dental disease until they stop eating because of a sore tooth or you notice bleeding from the mouth. Left untreated, dental disease can also lead to other health issues with your dog’s heart, kidneys or liver. Don’t let your dog become a statistic and implement these six things to keep your dog’s teeth looking pearly white.
What Does Dental Disease in Dogs Look Like?
Dogs don’t tend to get cavities or tooth decay like us humans do, that is unless their diet includes the sugary snacks and drinks we like to consume! Periodontal disease is the most common dental problem in dogs and occurs when the tissues around the teeth become infected and inflamed. Periodontal disease occurs when plaque is left on a dog’s teeth and hardens to form tartar, trapping more and more bacteria on the teeth and causing gingivitis (inflammation of the gums).
So What Can I Do To Prevent Dental Disease?
1. Feed a specialised dental diet
Caring for your dog’s teeth can be as easy as swapping their food for a specialised dental biscuit such as:
- Advance Adult Triple Action Dental Care – available for small, medium and large breeds
- Hill’s Science Diet Adult Oral Care
If your dog has severe dental disease, your veterinarian may recommend your dog commence on a speciality dental diet food such as:
- Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d – available for small breeds and all other sized dogs
- Royal Canin Veterinary Dental – available for small breeds and all other sized dogs
2. Use a water additive
Water additives are an incredibly easy change to make to your routine to help prevent the accumulation of bacteria in your dogs’ mouth, leading to less plaque and tartar formation. Simply add the directed amount of additive to the specified volume of water and know that your pet’s breath is getting fresher with every drink of water! Water additives we stock include Aquadent, Prozym RF2 Dental Solution and Triple-Pet EZ Dog breath freshener.
3. Swap their treats and chews
Another easy change that could make the world of difference to your dog’s dental health is to swap their treats and chews to specialised dental treats and chews to brands such as:
- Pedigree Dentastix
- Evolution Dog Dental sticks
- Greenies Dog treats
- OraVet dental chews
- Prozym RF2 Dental Sticks
- VitaRapid oral defence treats
4. Start brushing their teeth
While it may seem a little strange at first, brushing your dogs’ teeth is one of the most effective methods of preventing dental disease. Dog toothbrushes are smaller and have softer bristles than human toothbrushes to fit inside their mouths and to avoid injuring their gums. Dog toothpaste is also formulated to be palatable, with flavours like poultry or beef, and it is safe for your pet to swallow. You can purchase dog toothbrushes and dog toothpaste in our online store. If you aren’t sure where to start, Paw Complete Calm Chews can help reduce stress before brushing.
5. Dental Wipes
If you feel like brushing your dog’s teeth is just not for you, dental wipes are a great alternative. Dental wipes are placed over your finger and rubbed along the gum line, making it a simpler process for you and a gentler process for your pet. You can purchase Max’s Dental Wipes from our online store.
6. Visit your veterinarian
Last but not least, don’t forget to have a dental checkup with your local veterinarian every year. Your veterinarian can identify early signs of dental disease and help you implement the best plan to prevent dental disease before it starts. If dental disease is identified, your veterinarian can perform a dental scale and polish to remove the tartar and bacteria and to stop the disease from progressing. If your pet has severe dental disease, they may need to have teeth extracted during the dental procedure. Don’t let dental disease affect your pet’s life, find a local veterinarian and make an appointment today!
