Optimal dental care for dogs

General dental diseases in dogs

The teeth are very important for the dog. Not only does he have to be able to adequately “tear” and shred his food. The teeth are also part of his defense, his alertness, his expression. A good reason to keep your teeth in optimal condition for as long as possible.

Optimal dental care for dogs

Good dental care for dogs includes regular brushing with a toothbrush specially designed for dogs. Toothpaste isn't really necessary. However, this type of dental care is not species-appropriate. In order to achieve this, species-appropriate nutrition is necessary. This includes, among other things , hard products that really require a bite. Hard foods such as bones, dried beef ears and the like also ensure that plaque is easily rubbed off the teeth.

Periodontitis

It is one of the most common dental diseases in dogs. Animals under two years of age are rarely affected. If good dental care is started in puppyhood, it should be possible to delay the onset of periodontitis as much as possible.

Periodontitis occurs due to increased plaque buildup on the teeth. Bacteria collect on plaque and cause inflammation in sensitive gums. If this remains untreated, the gums will recede and ultimately ensure that the periodontium can no longer hold the tooth. So gum inflammation, tartar and a loose tooth come together.

The consequences of periodontitis

Of course, the symptoms mentioned are already very painful. Unfortunately, dogs usually only show their feelings of pain very late. If the owner only becomes aware of this through the expression of pain, they can already be dealing with very severe tartar infestation, a lot of plaque and severe gum recession. But systemic problems can also arise as a result: cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney diseases. These arise from the spread of germs that initially collect in the tooth area and can then penetrate the body system.

Broken tooth

This can happen quickly if the dog is playing with a stick or a hard ball. Sometimes you can bite on a stone while picking up soil. Only an experienced veterinarian with specialist knowledge of dental surgery can help here. ATTENTION - Dogs do not show pain quickly, but may be subtly aggressive in this situation.

Broken tooth

It should not be confused with the broken tooth. In this case, the tooth on or in the jaw is broken or severely displaced. A case for the veterinary clinic, because here the tooth must either be straightened or removed under anesthesia, depending on the situation.

Caries

Dogs can also suffer from this problem. The wrong food containing sugar is to blame, which causes plaque to form. It is up to the veterinarian to decide how to proceed therapeutically. Good dental care can prevent this.

DANGER The first sign of dental disease is (almost) always bad breath and increased salivation, which cannot be remedied. Now the owner's attention and the support of the veterinarian or animal health practitioner are required.