2) Dental disease can start early.
Dogs can start to have dental disease as young as 3 years old. Does your canine kiddo have yellow teeth? Is their breath less than fresh? Do they hesitate to eat a crunchy dog biscuit? Even though your dog is young, dental care is needed.
3) Taking care of your pet's dental health is an important step to overall health.
Watching for signs of dental issues and pain is an absolute must. Infection (even low-grade) can have an impact on your dog’s overall health picture. Systemic diseases like kidney disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease can be related to an unhealthy mouth.
4) An ounce of prevention goes a long way.
Brushing your pooch’s teeth every day is the best way to care for them. Not all dogs cooperate, and yes, pet parents sometimes forget. Four-leggers used to the whole procedure can get used to it and accept it just like any other grooming step. Brush your dog’s teeth every two or three days at the minimum. It’s the best way to avoid expensive dental procedures down the road.
5) Regular dental checkups are essential.
Brushing Fido’s teeth is part of excellent care. But an annual checkup, so the dentist can assess your dog’s dental health, is a necessity. Your veterinarian may recommend an in-clinic cleaning (scaling and checking the teeth), which involves a morning’s procedure with prior blood work to determine the anesthetic required.
6) Oral disease affects your dog's entire system and body.
We mentioned illnesses like diabetes and kidney disease. Your veterinarian needs you to know that your pet’s entire well-being is affected by the condition of the teeth. Your pet will be withdrawn if there is pain and they may lose their appetite because eating causes discomfort. Your normally playful pooch may resort to sleeping and resting to try and find relief from the dental issues.
7) Use vet-approved dental products.
Many pet parents will use a few different products to help keep their dog’s mouth in tip-top shape. Your veterinarian can help you choose the safest and most effective products. Beef flavored toothpaste? Your dog will love it! (Never use human toothpaste because it may contain ingredients like xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs.) Products like dental chews should be approved by the veterinarian also, to avoid damage to the teeth.
8) Oral exams catch other issues, too.
When you take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup, they’ll give your dog a thorough exam. Part of the dental exam involves looking at your furry buddy’s head, neck, and face. Sometimes lumps or tumors can be discovered that the pet parent was not aware of.
9) Anesthesia and x-rays are essential.
Brushing your pupster’s teeth is part of the all-important oral care. But at some point, every dog should have a thorough cleaning. This involves anesthesia so the dog is still and safe as their mouth is looked at with sharp implements. The checkup may require x-rays which give a unique and complete look at the mouth. This type of exam can catch oral disease early, preventing things like tooth loss.
10) Dogs hide dental pain.
This is one of the top things your veterinarian needs you to know. Canines are stoic creatures and may hide their pain from you. Getting adequate dental care is part of pet parenting and taking the best care possible of your dog is exactly what you want to do, right?