Is dental care for dogs necessary?

When your dog pounces on you with its tail wagging and its mouth wet, have you ever carefully observed the dirt on its teeth? When it chews on toys and devours dog food, do you realize that these daily behaviors are quietly affecting its oral health? Canine dental care, this often overlooked health blind spot, is actually closely related to the quality of life and even the life span of dogs. ​

In the eyes of professional veterinarians, the oral cavity of a dog can be called a miniature ecosystem. Like humans, there are a large number of bacteria in the oral cavity of dogs. These bacteria will mix with food residues to form a sticky biofilm on the surface of teeth - dental plaque. If not cleaned in time, dental plaque will mineralize within 48 hours to form hard tartar, firmly attached to the gum edge and the surface of the teeth. Small dogs such as Chihuahuas and Poodles are more likely to accumulate tartar because of their dense teeth; while short-nosed dog breeds such as bulldogs and pugs have poor saliva circulation due to their special oral structure, and the bacteria breed 30% faster than ordinary dog ​​breeds. Behind these data are the pain that countless dogs are suffering: periodontitis, caries, bad breath, and even more serious systemic health crises. ​

When periodontitis erodes the dog's gums, the red and swollen gums will gradually shrink, exposing the fragile tooth roots. Bacteria penetrate deep into the periodontal pockets, erode the alveolar bone, and cause the teeth to loosen and fall off. This not only makes it impossible for dogs to eat normally, but more frighteningly, these oral pathogens will enter the blood circulation through the damaged gums, and flow to important organs such as the heart, liver, and kidneys with the blood, causing fatal diseases such as endocarditis and nephritis. A study tracked 1,000 elderly dogs who did not receive regular dental care and found that 68% of them suffered from varying degrees of heart valve disease, and the culprit was bacteremia caused by oral bacteria. Every licking of the wound and swallowing of food may be a "time bomb" that sends pathogens into the body. ​

In addition to physical torture, the psychological trauma caused by oral diseases to dogs should not be ignored. Imagine that when a once lively golden retriever refuses its favorite chew stick, when a naughty Teddy suddenly whimpers and retreats while playing, perhaps it is the pain of teeth that makes them silent. Dental disease can make dogs lose their appetite, become listless, and even aggressive - this is not a change in their temperament, but a defensive instinct caused by pain. Every suppressed whimper and every evasive look are their distress signals to their owners. ​

Fortunately, these pains are not unavoidable. Professional dental care is the key line of defense to protect the oral health of dogs. Ultrasonic teeth cleaning performed by veterinarians can accurately remove tartar, and polishing can make the tooth surface smoother and slow down the re-attachment of dental plaque. Daily care is also important: choose the right dog toothbrush and toothpaste, gently wipe the teeth every day; provide natural chewing toys to help dogs clean the gaps between teeth; and even use oral care gel to inhibit bacterial growth. These seemingly cumbersome steps are actually building a healthy moat for dogs.​

When we see old dogs who have to have all their teeth removed due to periodontitis, or sick dogs with kidney failure due to bacterial infection in the pet hospital, we always sigh at the fragility of life. But what is even more distressing is that these tragedies could have been avoided through daily care. The average lifespan of dogs is only a dozen years. They accompany us with their lifelong loyalty, and what we can give back is to take a few minutes every day to pay attention to their oral health. The next time your dog rubs your palm with its wet nose, and when it looks at the snacks in your hand with eager eyes, please remember: a professional dental examination and a careful brushing of teeth may be the best gift to prolong this companionship.