https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/dental-care/7-tips-for-doggie-dental-care?roi=echo2-13492048105-5748647-70f829c1a622188b926d0c24bd0f18af

7 tips for doggie dental care

The good news for dogs is they’re not as prone to cavities as human beings are. But despite the old conventional wisdom that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a humans, dogs can still develop problems like tartar and plaque buildup and gingivitis. But it’s not just bad breath and yellow teeth you have to worry about. As with humans, these canine dental problems can actually lead to life-threatening infections and issues including heart, liver, and kidney disease.

Here’s how to practice good dog dental care that will extend your dog’s life:

How to brush your dog’s teeth

If your dog can brush his own teeth, you can stop reading this article and start posting the video to YouTube. For the rest of us, we have to use a canine toothbrush and a little strategy. The best brush to use is double-headed with the brushes at a 45 degree angle to clean below the gumline, like those offered by companies like Petosan.

Start early with your dog as a puppy!

Grown dogs can learn to become comfortable with dog teeth cleaning, but make things easier for yourself by working with your dog as a puppy.

How to pick the right tooth paste for your dog

This is very important. Do NOT use regular human toothpaste for your dog. Most human toothpastes include fluoride, which is extremely poisonous to dogs. You can find toothpaste formulated for dogs at most good pet stores.

Dry food is better than soft food

If the tooth brushing ends in blood, sweat, or tears, there are still choices you can make to help improve your dog’s oral health. Crunchy kibble is better for your dog’s teeth than soft food, as soft food is more likely to stick to the teeth and cause decay.

Chew bones and chew toys to clean teeth

There are many synthetic bones and chew toys that are specially designed to strengthen your dog’s gums and teeth. Just make sure you’re providing safe objects for your dog to chew on. Hard objects can cause broken teeth.

Giving your dog a good bone to chew on can help get rid of build up and keep teeth strong, but imagine a human who only chews gum and uses mouth rinse. That’s not an effective means of ensuring good dental hygiene and overall health. The same is true for your dog.

When to see a veterinarian

Whether you brush your dog’s teeth or not, you should have a look inside his mouth every week or so. If you notice any of these signs of dental problems, then take your dog to the vet:

Bad breath
Change in eating or dog chewing habits
Pawing at the face or mouth
Depression
Excessive drooling
Misaligned or missing teeth
Discolored, broken, missing or crooked teeth
Red, swollen, painful or bleeding gums
Yellowish-brown tartar crust along the gum line
Bumps or growths within the mouth

How often to see a vet?

Even with healthy teeth, just like you, your dog should have his teeth checked by a professional every six to twelve months. Your vet should include a dental examination with a normal checkup, but ask for it if they don’t.

Dental care can be a hassle for humans and dogs, but proper maintenance can be a money saver in the long run and even a lifesaver. Letting it go can lead to costly and often painful vet visits down the road. Many dogs have to be given anesthesia to have their teeth and gums cleaned if the buildup is bad enough. Keep your dog’s mouth clean though, and you’ll both be smiling!

Bye bye bad breath

There are many reasons why good dogs sometimes behave badly. You’ve seen many cases on Cesar Millan’s TV shows where bad behaviors in dogs were caused or triggered by human behavior.

Cesar has dealt with a lot of these cases, including severe aggression, fear, and dominance issues. But what you might not know is that bad behavior, or a sudden change in your dog’s behavior, can be caused by undetected medical problems. For example, if your dog starts chewing on random household objects, he may be experiencing tooth pain that could be helped with regular brushing.

Symptoms to watch for
If your dog suddenly becomes a compulsive chewer, there is a chance that something is wrong with her teeth or gums. The most frequent medical problem dogs have is dental disease, and it usually goes undetected. You should watch for the following symptoms:

Bad breath
Red or swollen gums
Bleeding gums
Sudden change in eating or chewing habits
Pawing at the face or mouth
Compulsive nose licking

Please consult your veterinarian if you see any these symptoms.

Prevention
Cesar prefers prevention over treatment and believes that, “The daily practice of good oral health can prevent problems down the road.”

Dental disease will develop if plaque is present and remains over time. Tooth brushing is the single most effective way to prevent dental disease. Dental treats and chewing aids may also help reduce plaque buildup, but they should be used as a complement, not a replacement, for the toothbrush.

Dental care routine
Dr. Rick Garcia, who is the veterinarian at Cesar Millan’s Dog Psychology Center, shares his tips for a good and stress-free dental care program with seven simple rules sure to provide your pooch with a good dental care routine:

A brushing routine is important for dogs of all ages. It’s ideal when introduced during puppyhood.
Establish brushing as part of a daily routine with your dog. Try to brush at the same time every day.
The best time for brushing is after walking and feeding but right before bed, when your dog may be most relaxed.
Inspect your dog’s mouth before brushing. Make sure the gums are pink and not bleeding, and look for broken or chipped teeth. If you spot any of these signs, take your dog to the vet for a checkup.
Introduce the taste of toothpaste to your dog before you brush. The best way to do this is by applying a small amount of toothpaste to your index finger and allowing your dog to smell and taste it.
At the Dog Psychology Center, Dr. Garcia uses a toothpaste designed for dog, with a dog-friendly flavor.
After your dog has sniffed the toothpaste and is used to its taste, apply more toothpaste to your index finger and carefully touch the gums, so your dog gets used to the feeling. Then, gently rub the toothpaste along the gum line.
Let your dog rinse at the water bowl when you'r through.

Remember, do not attempt to wipe all of the teeth in the first or second brushing. Dr. Garcia recommends increasing the number of teeth you wipe each day as the routine becomes more familiar

How to introduce the toothbrush to your dog
After you have introduced cleaning and toothpaste to your dog, it’s time to introduce the toothbrush.

Make sure your dog is calm and submissive. Cesar warns to never attempt this with an excited dog. “Tooth brushing can be a form of affection for your dog. Never let it be stressful. Just be patient.”

Here is a step-by-step approach to help you add the toothbrush to your dog’s dental care routine:

Step 1: Apply a small amount of toothpaste to the toothbrush.
Step 2: Let the dog lick it off.
Step 3: Start by brushing one tooth with a gentle back and forth motion.
Step 4: Gradually increase the number of teeth brushed by one tooth per day.

If you have any questions or encounter problems with this dental brushing routine, consult your local vet. Good dental care is important and it is often overlooked. Cesar Millan is emphatic in saying that a dog’s strongest sense is smell. Dental disease can adversely affect a dog’s sense of smell, which can lead to behavior problems, fatigue, and overall unhappiness. .

Editor's Note: I think I will be getting a toothbrush and some flavor-full toothpaste.

Woof, woof, till later,

Zoey Elizabeth

Zany Zoey

Thursday, February 8, 2018

Do you brush your dog's teeth?