How can I improve my dog's dental health

When we joyfully welcome a dog into our family, its white and neatly arranged teeth look particularly lovely in its bright smile. However, as time goes by, if we find that the dog's teeth turn yellow, it has an unpleasant bad breath, and even its gums are swollen and red, and its appetite decreases, our worry and heartache will well up like a tide. Dogs can't tell us about their tooth discomfort in words, but they endure the pain silently. As their closest companions, we are eager to know how to improve the dog's dental health, so that they can show their healthy and bright smiles again and enjoy the pleasure brought by delicious food.

From the perspective of professional veterinary medicine, a dog's dental health is closely related to various factors. The daily diet is one of the important factors affecting dental health. If a dog has been eating overly soft and refined foods for a long time, such as canned food and wet food, food residues are likely to adhere to the surface and gaps of the teeth, providing a breeding ground for bacteria. These bacteria will decompose the sugar in the food residues, produce acidic substances, and erode the enamel on the surface of the teeth, leading to the occurrence of dental caries. At the same time, without the process of chewing hard objects, it is impossible to effectively rub the teeth, and it is difficult to remove dental plaque and tartar. And long-term feeding of inferior foods containing a large number of additives and pigments is not only nutritionally unbalanced but may also cause damage to the teeth and oral health.

The habit of oral cleaning plays a decisive role in a dog's dental health. Just like humans, dogs also need to have their teeth cleaned regularly. If the owner ignores oral care and does not have the habit of brushing the dog's teeth, the bacteria in the mouth will keep multiplying, and the dental plaque will gradually accumulate and mineralize to form hard tartar. Tartar will irritate the gums, trigger gingivitis, and cause the gums to become swollen and bleed. As the disease progresses, it may also cause periodontitis, resulting in gum recession, loose teeth, and even tooth loss. Just imagine that we will feel uncomfortable in our mouths if we don't brush our teeth for a few days. What's more, dogs that have not had their mouths cleaned for a long time, how much pain they must be suffering.

The dog's own physiological factors will also affect its dental health. For some dog breeds, such as small dogs, due to their closely arranged teeth, it is easier to have problems of food residue retention and dental plaque accumulation. And during the teething period of puppies, if the baby teeth do not fall out in time and the permanent teeth cannot grow normally, a situation of double rows of teeth will occur. This not only affects the appearance but also leads to the retention of food residues and increases the risk of oral diseases. In addition, as senior dogs' physical functions decline, their teeth will gradually wear out and become loose, and they are more likely to be attacked by oral diseases.

After understanding the factors affecting a dog's dental health, we can improve the dog's dental health through a variety of methods. First of all, adjusting the diet structure is the key. On the premise of ensuring the dog's balanced nutrition, appropriately increase the proportion of dry food. Dry food has a harder texture. During the chewing process, the friction between the dog's teeth and the dry food can play a role in cleaning the teeth, helping to remove dental plaque and food residues. At the same time, some dental cleaning foods specially designed for dogs can be selected, such as dental cleaning biscuits and teething sticks. These foods usually contain special ingredients that can inhibit the growth of bacteria, reduce the formation of dental plaque, and their hardness is moderate, which is suitable for dogs to chew. They can not only meet their chewing needs but also clean the teeth. However, pay attention to controlling the feeding amount to prevent the dog from getting obese due to excessive consumption.

Developing the habit of brushing the dog's teeth regularly is crucial. The owner can buy pet-specific toothbrushes and toothpaste. The flavors of pet toothpaste are usually chicken flavor, beef flavor, etc., which can attract the dog to accept brushing its teeth more. When brushing the teeth, first let the dog get used to the taste of the toothpaste. You can apply a small amount of toothpaste on its lips and let it lick it, and then slowly start brushing the teeth. Start from the outside of the teeth, and gently brush the surface of the teeth and the edge of the gums in a certain order. Be careful not to use too much force to avoid damaging the dog's gums. For dogs that do not cooperate with brushing their teeth, the owner should be patient. The brushing process can be made more interesting. For example, give delicious snacks as a reward after brushing the teeth, so that the dog can gradually associate brushing the teeth with good things. At the beginning, you can brush 2 - 3 times a week, and as the dog gets used to it, gradually increase it to 5 - 7 times a week.

In addition to brushing the teeth, other oral cleaning products can also be used for auxiliary care. Mouthwash is a good choice. Select pet-specific mouthwash, dilute it according to the instructions, and pour it into the dog's drinking water. Mouthwash can inhibit the growth of bacteria in the mouth, reduce bad breath, and maintain the acid-base balance of the mouth. Oral spray can also play a role in cleaning and freshening the breath. When it is not convenient to brush the teeth, spraying oral spray can quickly clean the mouth. In addition, some rubber toys, rawhide chews, etc. can be provided for the dog, so that during the playing process, it can clean the teeth by chewing and rubbing.

Regularly taking the dog to the pet hospital for oral examinations is also essential. Professional veterinarians can, through examinations, promptly detect potential problems in the dog's mouth, such as early dental caries and tartar, and take corresponding treatment measures. For the already formed tartar, professional teeth cleaning is required to remove it. Teeth cleaning can not only clean the surface of the teeth but also remove the tartar under the gums, preventing the occurrence of periodontitis. During the teeth cleaning process, the veterinarian will also conduct a comprehensive examination of the dog's teeth and gums and give professional care advice.

A dog's dental health is related to its quality of life and happiness index. Every carefully prepared dietary adjustment, every patient and meticulous teeth brushing process, and every regular visit to the pet hospital are manifestations of our deep love for the dog. Let us use scientific methods and warm care to safeguard the dog's dental health, so that they can fully enjoy delicious food and accompany us through every wonderful day with their bright smiles.