Oral hygiene in dogs
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Proper dentistry is essential in ensuring a dog’s long-term health – just as much so as it is in humans. But it seems that not every dog owner seems to be taking the issue as seriously as they ought to. It’s the most commonly diagnosed malady in adult dogs, with some estimates claiming that as many as nine out of ten dogs will suffer from a problem in their lifetime. There are many different ways in which your dog’s mouth might malfunction. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Plaque and Tartar We’re all familiar with plaque. It’s a translucent film that forms on the top of your dog’s teeth. It’s caused by bacteria which form in the dog’s mouth. When bacteria mix with the saliva and tiny fragments of leftover food, plaque results. The problem can get worse just a few days later, as the plaque reacts with the minerals in your dog’s mouth to harden into tartar. Tartar is responsible for a number of dental conditions, most notably gingivitis and bad breath. Prevent plaque from turning into tartar by feeding your dog dry foods as part of their diet. The gentle abrasive action of chewing such foods will help to remove a significant chunk of the plaque before it has time to calcify. Supplement this with an occasional brushing session to give your dog the best possible defence against the diseases which can result from unchecked tartar formation.
Disease Periodontal disease is the most common form of disease effecting a dog’s mouth. It results from a prolonged build-up of tartar beneath the dog’s gum line. Eventually, this tartar will force the teeth apart from the bones in the jaw, allowing pockets and painful abscesses to form there. This in turn provides harmful bacteria with the ideal conditions in which to multiply – and the effect from there is a negative spiral which can quickly lead to permanent damage. When a dog is suffering from dental disease, they’ll be in a great deal of pain. They may lose teeth and bleed from their mouths. But, perhaps worse than that, they’ll suffer knock-on effects which will impact their broader health. If left unchecked, the bacteria responsible for your dog’s plaque can migrate to other parts of the body, potentially the heart and lungs. Moreover, since eating will become very painful, they’ll be start to lose their appetite – which can have serious effects on their health and general well-being. Periodontal disease, then, is something to be taken very seriously indeed.
Things to look out for Since the effects of periodontal disease can be so severe (and irreversible), the best way of protecting your dog is to prevent it before it occurs. This means observation: pay close attention to your dog’s mouth, checking periodically for irregularities.
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The first of these irregularities often comes in the form of bad breath. While a dog’s mouth is hardly likely to smell pleasant when it’s in perfect health, it’s quite obvious when something is awry. Gingivitis will cause an affected dog pain on a particular side of their mouth – and so you might notice them favouring one side over the other, as well as losing their appetite in general. Inspect your dog’s mouth occasionally – and be on the lookout for abnormalities in the shape of the jaw. You should pay attention to the state of your dog’s gums, which may be red and swollen, as well as to your dog’s teeth, which may bear the tell-tale yellow brown discolouration which evidences tartar-build up. It’s worth bearing mind that several of these symptoms might have causes other than disease. Dogs are known for their love of picking up and chewing things – no matter how unsuitable such things might be for chewing. Branches, rocks, and pieces of broken glass will all cause severe trauma to the inside of a dog’s mouth – which can easily be mistaken for oral disease. Try to monitor what your dog does and doesn’t eat, and to discourage it from sniffing around the ground – particularly during winter, when poisonous plants and antifreeze spillages are more prevalent.
When should I brush? As we’ve mentioned, the best way to prevent the build-up of tartar is through frequent brushing. This should ideally be done daily – much the same as with your own teeth. In practice, however, this goal isn’t always achievable.
But something is better than nothing, and brushing three or more times a week will make a huge contribution to your dog’s long-term oral health. Brushing can be commenced early on in a dog’s life – before a puppy first loses their deciduous teeth at around six months old. It is better to get this early start in order to acclimatise the dog to the potentially stressful ritual of teeth-brushing. If a dog is older, bigger, and unused to having their mouths poked around inside, they’ll generally put up a bigger fight. Getting an old dog to change their ways is notoriously difficult, and so starting early is key. It’s never too late, however, to start a brushing programme, and with a little patience you should be able to hugely improve your dog’s protection against oral disease. If you can’t persuade your dog to accept brushing, then alternatives are available in the form of specialised gels, which help to destroy the bacteria which cause plaque formation.
How should I brush? To being with, brushing should be done gently and systematically. Start with the easiest teeth to reach – those on the side of the dog’s mouth, just underneath their lips. This should be done with a soft flannel to start with, in order to make the dog as comfortable as possible. At this early stage, the goal has more to do with getting the dog used to having their teeth brushed than it does actually ridding the dog’s mouth of tartar. You’ll therefore want to offer some positive reinforcement after a successful session – give your dog praise, attention and a treat as a reward.
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After a few rounds of this we can progress to an actual brush. These are normally obtainable from your vet. You can also get toothpaste for dogs. Special enzymatic varieties are available which cater to a dog’s physiology. It should go without saying that you shouldn’t attempt to use these yourself – and neither should you attempt to give your dog toothpaste designed for humans. To begin with, however, it’s generally not worth the bother; simply use a little warm water and gentle brush the bottom of the dog’s teeth, where they meet the gums. Over time, you can build up your dog’s tolerance to the procedure to the point that they will allow you to brush as often as is required. You’ll thereby give them the best possible protection against oral disease!
Beeston Animal Health Ltd., Whitchurch Road, Beeston Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9NJ
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