The dental problem in pets, both cats and dogs, is quite common than you think. By the age of 3, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some form of gum disease. The dental problem isn’t only persistent in senior pets.
Common Dental Risks
- If your pet remains uncured from dental disease, they are at a higher risk of heart, kidney, and liver disease
- Bacteria under the gum can travel to different internal organs.
- Dental disease can result in bad breath, painful chewing, and tooth loss.
- Broken teeth are a major concern among pets. Chewing on hard surfaces or materials can render their teeth weak. A broken tooth can expose the nerve of the tooth which can be a painful experience for your pet.
How to take care of Dog’s teeth?
Home dental care can be the best way to prevent dental issues in pets. Brushing your puppy's teeth between the ages of eight and sixteen weeks is critical which will make the job easier when they are adult.
What should you use to brush their teeth?
Use a soft or moistened brush with soft bristles. You should never use human toothpaste to brush your dog’s teeth as the human toothpaste consists of fluoride which can be fatal for dogs. You can buy special toothpaste designed for dogs from the market.
How to Brush their teeth?
- Put some toothpaste on your fingertip and let your dog taste it. The sweet taste is generally enjoyed by pets.
- Start by rubbing your bare finger along the gums. Do this for a few seconds and build up to longer periods of time.
- Add some dog enzymatic toothpaste to your fingertip and massage gums.
- Apply some dog toothpaste to a pet toothbrush and brush outer surfaces of teeth and gums.
Other than brushing their teeth 3x a week, you should consider taking them for the dental check at your nearest veterinary.
