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 For
your dog pets to enjoy time with you, they must always be in good health. Like
you, if the pets are feeling pain they are unable to feel the mood of having
fun!
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Good dental health begins with the proper diet
The wrong kinds of food can
cause dental distress in pets. Feeding your dog a dry food rather
than a moist, canned one will, through its mild abrasive action
on the teeth, help remove the bacterial plaque that can harden into
tartar. Dry food also provides adequate chewing exercise and gum
stimulation. Avoid giving your pet sweets and table scraps as they
may also increase plaque and tartar formation. Your vet may recommend
the use of special dry foods designed to reduce plaque and tartar
buildup, especially if your pet is prone to dental problems due
to his breed or individual genetic history.
Brushing your pet’s teeth
Dogs need to have their
teeth brushed in order to eliminate the dental plaque that can
cause tooth decay and the formation of tartar, which can lead to
gum disease. You should begin a regular, daily brushing routine
when your puppy is between six and eight weeks of age. Even older
dogs can be trained to accept having their teeth brushed. You simply
need to introduce the activity gradually and make the experience
a positive one for your pet. Reassure and praise him profusely
throughout the process and reward him with a very special treat
when it’s finished. Here’s how it can be done:
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Phase 1
Start
by dipping a finger in beef bouillon for dogs. Rub this
finger gently over your pet’s gums and one or two teeth.
Repeat until your pet seems fairly comfortable with this
activity. |
Phase 2
Gradually,
introduce a gauze-covered finger and gently scrub the
teeth with a circular motion. |
Phase 3
Then,
you can begin to use a toothbrush, either an ultra-soft
model designed for people or a special pet tooth-brush
or finger brush, which is a rubber finger covering with
a small brush built in at its tip. |
Phase 4
Finally,
once your pet is used to brushing, introduce the use of
pet toothpaste in liquid or paste form. Most of these
contain chlorhexidine or stannous fluoride—ask your veterinarian
for his recommendations. Don’t use human toothpaste, as
it can upset your pet’s stomach. Your vet may also advise
the use of an antiseptic spray or rinse after brushing. |
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Don't forget a yearly dental checkup
Doing your best to ensure
that your dog receives the proper diet and regular brushing at home
will help maintain his or her teeth and gums in top condition. To
provide optimum dental care at home, you need to start with a clean
bill of dental health. That’s where your pet’s veterinarian comes
in.
He or she will give your
pet a thorough examination of the entire oral cavity to determine
whether there are any underlying problems and, especially important,
tartar buildup. Brushing removes plaque but not tartar, so if your
pet’s teeth do have tartar, your veterinarian will have to remove
it with a professional cleaning and polishing, usually accomplished
under anaesthesia. After removing the tartar above and below the
gum line, your veterinarian may treat your pet’s teeth with fluoride
and will provide you with instructions for home care and follow-up.
A few tips:
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Chew treats, including hard meat-protein biscuits
and rawhide chews for dogs, can help remove plaque, and provide
stimulation for the gums. |
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Watch out for wood—throwing sticks to dogs can result in
splinters and gum damage. |
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Don’t let your pet chew on hard materials like bones or
stones. They can wear down, even break teeth, damage gums and
lead to infection. |
A few statistics:
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Puppies develop their deciduous teeth at 2 weeks of age,
with their 42 permanent teeth starting to appear at 3 months. |
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