Do dogs really need to clean their teeth

When we first welcome a dog into our home, looking at its lively eyes and cheerful tail, our hearts are filled with anticipation for the years to come. In the days spent with dogs, we care about their diet, sleep, play with them, and take them for walks, but often overlook an important issue - the cleanliness of their teeth. Perhaps you may wonder, do you really need to clean your dog's teeth? The answer is yes, it is not only related to the oral health of dogs, but also closely related to their overall health and quality of life.

Dogs' teeth, just like our human teeth, play an important role in chewing food and assisting digestion. However, dogs' dietary habits and lifestyle make their teeth more susceptible to erosion from food residues and bacteria. Imagine a dog eating various foods every day, from dry food to canned food, from snacks to bones, and the residue of these foods will remain on the surface and between the teeth. If not cleaned up in a timely manner, bacteria will multiply massively on these residues, forming dental plaque and tartar.

Dental plaque is a colorless, adherent film on the surface of teeth, mainly composed of bacteria, saliva, and food residue. Within the first 12-24 hours, dental plaque is relatively easy to remove, but if left untreated, it will gradually harden and form tartar. Once dental calculus is formed, it is difficult for it to fall off on its own and will adhere tightly to the surface of the teeth, stimulating the gums and causing gingivitis. Gingivitis is one of the common oral diseases in dogs, with symptoms including swollen gums, bleeding, and bad breath. If gingivitis is not treated in a timely manner, inflammation will further develop, leading to periodontitis. Periodontitis can damage the supporting tissues around teeth, including gums, alveolar bone, etc., ultimately leading to tooth loosening and loss.

Can you imagine a dog experiencing pain due to dental problems? When dogs suffer from periodontitis, they may feel pain when eating, which may lead to a decrease in appetite and insufficient nutrient intake. Long term oral diseases may also lead to systemic health problems. Bacteria in the oral cavity can enter various organs of the body through blood circulation, such as the heart, liver, kidneys, etc., causing diseases such as endocarditis, hepatitis, nephritis, etc. These systemic diseases not only seriously affect the health of dogs, but may also shorten their lifespan.

From an emotional perspective, when we find that dogs have lost appetite, become mentally lethargic due to dental problems, and even make painful noises while eating, our hearts will be filled with worry and heartache. We hope that dogs can always be healthy and happy, accompanying us through long years, and keeping teeth clean is an important step towards achieving this wish.

So, how to clean the teeth of a dog? The most common method is brushing teeth. Like humans brushing their teeth, dogs also need to brush their teeth regularly to keep them clean. We can choose toothbrushes and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs. The brush head of a dog toothbrush is usually small, with soft bristles that are suitable for the size of the dog's mouth and tooth structure. Toothpaste has various flavors that dogs like, such as chicken meat flavor, beef flavor, etc., avoiding harmful ingredients in human toothpaste that may be harmful to dogs, such as fluoride. When brushing teeth, dogs should gradually adapt to this process. You can start by gently touching its mouth to familiarize it with your movements, and then slowly insert the toothbrush into its mouth, starting from the outermost side of its teeth, gently brushing it. The movements should be gentle to avoid damaging the dog's gums. At the beginning, dogs may not be very cooperative, but as long as we have enough patience and persist every day, dogs will gradually get used to brushing their teeth.

In addition to brushing teeth, there are other methods that can help clean a dog's teeth. For example, providing dogs with some chew toys and chew food. These toys and foods can help dogs rub against the surface of their teeth during chewing, reducing the formation of dental plaque and tartar. Rubber toys, leather rolls, grinding teeth sticks, etc. are all good choices. In addition, it is also very important to regularly take dogs to pet hospitals for oral examinations. Veterinarians can use professional tools and techniques to examine the oral health of dogs, promptly identify and address potential issues.

Cleaning a dog's teeth is a responsibility that we, as poop shovelers, cannot ignore. It is not only a care for the physical health of dogs, but also a manifestation of our deep love for dogs. Every time we brush our dog's teeth and choose the right grinding toy for it, we are adding bricks and tiles to its healthy life. Let's take practical actions to give our dogs healthy teeth, bright smiles, accompany us through every beautiful day, and write our own warm stories together.