Dog Teeth Care and Cleaning Guide

Dog teeth care and cleaning is important to your dog health. The teeth of teenage, active pet normally request little or no attention, but dental pains grow into increasing frequency and importance as the animal gets older. Most dental derangements are readily remedied, but if they are neglected serious secondary disturbances may ensue. It is therefore a good, hygienic measure to have the dog's teeth checked about twice a year by a veterinarian, especially after the animal attains its fifth year. As far as daily care by the owner is concerned, it is best that no effort be made to clean the dog teeth by brushing. This is something that is quite unnecessary in the dog, and it is very unlikely to do any good. If there is any question about the situation of the dog's teeth, simply ask your vet. 

As the animal gets older, tartar usually appears on the dog teeth. This tartar consists of deposits of minerals extracted from the diet. The tartar pushes against the gums, causing irritation, infection, sloughing, and recession. If the process continues, the gums recede so far that the dog teeth become loose in their sockets. 

As the tartar accumulates and the gum irritation becomes more severe, a repulsive odor of decaying tissue comes from the animal's mouth. If the animal is further neglected, it is observed to eat cautiously because of the pain caused by the pressure of the food against the loose teeth and the irritated gums. The absorption of poisonous substances that result from the decaying tissue may cause toxic reactions in the dog, with symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, and general depression

Dog teeth cleaning can prevent all of the above;

Dog Teeth Care

I examine Bo's teeth every time I brush them, which is daily. Don't get scared, it doesn't take a lot of time.

What we look for are; Red or swollen gums, Tartar buildup or stains and Cracked teeth

Dog Food

According to numerous studies, hard kibbles are better for your dog's teeth than soft canned food. Why? They provide "natural" dog teeth cleaning by fighting plaque accumulation on your dog's teeth.

According to Veterinary Oral Health Council, some foods and treats are much better than others for keeping your dog's teeth healthy. Here are some of the products that have received their seal of approval.

Animal dentistry consists essentially of dog teeth cleaning, ex­tracting them, and treating the gums. These dental proced­ures are classified as minor operations and animals tolerate them very well. Often as many as fifteen to twenty teeth may be removed at a single sitting without apparent discomfort to the animal. This is due to the fact that infected dog teeth are usually so loose in their sockets that only the slightest pres­sure has to be exerted to remove them. The operations are performed under mild sedation or general anaesthesia.

In regard to routine animal dentistry, the favorable result of a thorough dental treatment is immediate and sensational in most cases. The odor quickly disappears from the dog's mouth, the toxic substances are readily eliminated, and the reinvigorated animal gallivants in a manner reminiscent of its puppyhood days.

Dental Fistula

Dental fistula is a dental ailment so distinctive as to de­serve special mention. It concerns an infection of the so-called carnassial teeth—the very large teeth of the upper jaw that can be seen by pulling back the corner of the lip on each side of the dog's mouth.

One carnassial tooth grows on either side of the upper jaw. The roots are so deep that, when they are infected, the infection extends into the sinuses of the skull and forms an abscess, which sooner or later breaks out in an area directly underneath and about an inch away from the eye. Such a formation is called a fistula, for a fistula simply means a pathway within the body tissue along which pus travels. The area around which the abscess breaks may be only slightly swollen or it may be so enlarged that the face has a distorted aspect. Most often the swelling is only slight. A discharge that may be bloody or pussy flows from the opening of the ab­scess. This may become dried and scabby. If routine antisep­tics are applied to the affected area, the wound may heal. But this healing is only temporary, for in time the sure opens up again and gives rise to more discharge. This condition may occur on one or both sides of the face, depending on whether one or both carnassial teeth are infected. The whole picture of this condition is so characteristic that once it is seen it is rarely forgotten.

Treatment is very simple and consists of the removal of the affected dog teeth. These teeth are so large that, if they are firmly embedded as is often the case, they first have to be split into two parts in order to be removed. When they are split, each part is removed separately, a not too complicated procedure. Once it is done, and the fistula is cleaned, healing usually takes place in a couple of days without any further treatment.

This dog teeth care and cleaning guide source from: www.doghealthproblems.org