With the advent of new vaccinations and medical treatments, dogs are living longer lives. Unfortunately, dental care is one aspect of puppy rearing that is all to often overlooked and dental problems can have very serious health effects. Be a responsible pet owner and make sure your puppy gets regular dental examinations – by you and the dog’s veterinarian. The effort can quite possibly mean a longer life for your puppy.
Although good dental hygiene is very important to your puppy’s health, it can be one of the easiest maintenance routines to forget. Be sure to include teeth brushing in your regiment of health care for your puppy. If you are unsure how to do this, your veterinarian can show you how to accomplish this.
Never use human toothpaste to brush your puppy’s teeth. It can make the dog sick. Ask your veterinarian for a recommendation on dog-friendly oral products. Many pet stores carry a line of good products.
It is important that your puppy learns to accept your invasion into his or her mouth. A good piece of advice is to start checking out your puppy’s mouth at a very young age.
Insert your fingers and look around. Getting your puppy used to oral exams at an early age will definitely make the job a lot easier as the puppy ages into adulthood.
Try to make the teeth-brushing sessions fun for your puppy. Don’t use force! A good first step is to have treats with you and reward him for allowing you to examine him.
Next, wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and rub the puppy’s teeth using a circular motion. If the gauze seems to be a problem, wetting it with bouillon can help Fido to come to accept this in a positive manner.
Introduce a toothbrush or canine oral rinse once the puppy becomes used to the gauze. At first, it may prove helpful to apply toothpaste to your finger to help the puppy get used to the feel and taste of the product.
Remember to use lots of praise during the teeth-cleaning sessions.
In addition to dental products for dogs, there are a lot of treats on the market that aid in the cleaning of a puppy’s teeth. Rawhide chews can help get the job done, but be sure to use caution when you give them to your puppy. Never leave your puppy unattended while they are chewing on rawhide treats.
Early detection of dental problems is important. The first step is to look for plaque build up. Although puppies rarely get cavities, they are prone to gum disease. Routine brushing of your puppy’s teeth can eliminate the plaque, which if left untreated, turns into tartar or calculus. Tartar adheres to the teeth and can cause gum irritation and inflammation. This is known as gingivitis and is identified by red, irritated gums and bad breath. Once tartar has formed, it will take a veterinarian’s tools to “scale” or remove the build up. If left untreated, bacteria can enter the puppy’s blood stream and cause serious health issues including heart problems.
Signs of a dental problem often begin with bad breath. Other indications include increased salivation, red and puffy gums, bleeding gums and a reluctance to chew.
While not every town has a doggie dentist, it is a field that is growing. If you find a canine dentist, your dog can get just about the same dental treatments as you. Canine dentists are doing crowns and root canals and they can prescribe braces for Fido. The sky is the limit when it comes to caring for your puppy!
Related posts:
- Options for Canine Dental Care – Alternatives to Brushing Teeth
- Different Stages of Puppy Dental Development
- Puppy Teething and Dental Care
- How to Fix Smelly Dog Breath
- Bad Breath
