|
Taking a bite out of dental problems Most of us in the western world are acutely aware of how important it is to look after our teeth and these days the same should also be true of our dogs. Many clients are shocked when faced with the expense of extensive dental work for their dog and often compare it to their own dental costs. What you need to remember is that the vast majority of our patients are less than willing to sit with their mouths open for more than a couple of seconds and some are VERY willing to chomp their mouth shut on any unsuspecting vets! So all our patients have to be anaesthetised which raises the costs. As with so many things prevention is better than cure and if you look after your dog’s teeth you can avoid many problems further down the line.
- Brushing. This is by far and away the most effective way to keep your dog’s teeth in tip top condition. Once a day is great but however often you can do it is better than nothing. Don’t use human toothpaste because it’s designed to foam up and dogs can’t spit! Your vet will be able to advise you about paste and brushes.
- Start at the back and work forwards; the front teeth are the most sensitive and if you leave them until last your dog will get used to the brushing more quickly. Thirty seconds per side is plenty and don’t worry about the insides- that’s above and beyond the call!
- Food and chews. Some prescription diets and some chews are specially designed to reduce build-up of plaque and tartar. Make sure you talk to your vet about which are suitable for your dog and beware of too many chews because they can have a very high calorie content and may make your dog fat.
- Gels and sprays. There are some products which claim that they reduce tartar by simply being put in the mouth or on food. Some of these may not be as effective as you might like so ask your vet which, if any they would recommend.
- Listen to advice from your vet or nurse because sometimes, despite everything we try, the teeth will need scaling and polishing at the vets and this can lead to greatly improved tooth and gum health and a much happier pet.
Poorly looked after teeth are not to be taken lightly. Tartar and plaque soon lead to pockets in the gums where bacteria can enter. This not only causes bad breath and the eventual loss of teeth but will be painful and can lead to serious problems like heart disease if bacteria spread in the blood stream. Dental disease is a huge problem in dogs and can have far-reaching consequences but the great news is that with a little care and attention from you and the regular checks your vet will do it can all be very easily avoided.
View
Pet Talk Archive >> | Back to Top
|
