It is very important to Take Care Of Your Dog’s Oral Hygiene as it constitutes an integral part of pet care and grooming. However, it is often the most neglected area that deserves attention of pet parents. A good oral hygiene can protect your dog from many preventable health issues. In this article we will talk about the best practices for maintaining a good oral hygiene, common concerns associated with it and the remedies you can easily follow at home.

 

Importance of Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth-

Dental health of your dog is an important part of their overall oral health.The most important step to start with this is to fix a schedule for their oral care. Once you start following a schedule, the chances of skipping it significantly reduces and this important area of pet care gets the attention that it deserves. To keep your dog’s teeth clean, strong and healthy you can use a canine toothpaste to brush their teeth regularly. Experts usually recommend that you brush their teeth 2-3 times or at least once a week.

Please note that you cannot use the toothpastes that are meant for human use. As it may contain some chemicals that are particularly harmful for dogs. There are many brands available that offer good quality flavoured canine toothpastes. Those are not only custom made for dogs, but the taste of it encourages dogs to enjoy their ‘brush-time’. Some dogs may be particularly sensitive to certain flavours like beef or other food items. Please make sure to carefully go through the ingredients that a toothpaste contains before choosing the appropriate one for your canine friend.

 

Controlling Bad Breath for a Good Oral Hygiene-

Bad breath in dogs is a very common issue and it can be an early sign of bad oral hygiene. Being a pet parent you would want to spend some time with your most precious friend on a regular basis. But the issue of bad breath  may come in between as a spoiler. It may also indicate the early symptoms of some underlying oral health issues. Some common dental health issues in dogs include- Canine periodontal disease, Gingivitis, Endodontic disease etc. 

But the good news is that you can take some preventive measures to avoid these issues. Some spices like cinnamon and cloves are excellent to control bad breath. Dental water additives also work well to keep bad breath in check. Just like a mouthwash, it can instantly freshen up your dog’s breath.

Oral infections and bad breath may also happen due to harmful bacterial growth in your dog’s mouth. To help them in such a scenario, you can add probiotics to their meal. Pet-friendly food items like yogurt help the ‘good bacteria’ to outnumber the bad ones, thereby controlling bad breath in dogs. Please remember that these quick fixes cannot replace the importance of regular brushing. You still need to follow a fixed brushing schedule as a regular practice for best results.

Even after following a good oral care routine, if you find out that the issue persists then please make a visit to the vet. Ask for a solution that addresses the issues that are particularly necessary for your doggo’s oral health. Early diagnosis can prevent further spread of a persisting health issue associated with dental hygiene.

Most importantly, before you choose from any of these remedies mentioned here, make sure to modify some ingredients if your pet is allergic to anything. What works well for one dog may not be useful for another. So do your own research or take help from a professional vet before you apply any of the popular solutions to control bad breath.

 

Maintain Oral Hygiene with Healthy Chew Sticks and Treats-

While you Take Care of Your Dog’s Oral Hygiene, some healthy treats and chews like neem sticks, a small piece of carrot, calcium chew bones etc can be very handy. Neem sticks contain natural antioxidants that are particularly useful in preventing plaque-causing bacteria. Whereas calcium chew bones are rich in calcium that gives strength to your dog’s teeth.It also prevents tartar buildup in their teeth and promotes better oral hygiene. Apart from these, you can also choose from a range of chew sticks and treats available in the market that are specifically meant to promote dental hygiene.

There can be different opinions on the effectiveness of these products. But overall these are some of the most commonly used remedies that can be handy to Take Care of Your Dog’s Oral Hygiene.

 

Some Common Symptoms to Watch-

When it comes to oral hygiene,dogs usually do well during their teething phase. Their urge to chew on things during this phase actually helps in maintaining dental hygiene and strengthens their gum and teeth. However, as they grow older the urge to chew reduces and this is when you, as a parent, need to help them to keep this habit alive.

Some common symptoms of bad oral hygiene include-

1) Tartar deposits on their teeth.

2) Difficulty in chewing hard kibbles.

3) Swollen gums.

4) Darkening of the colour of teeth

5) Oral Lesions etc.

As soon as you detect any of these signs, make sure to consult with the vet first. The initial diagnosis is very important to identify the specific areas that you need to work on. Once your dog receives proper medical attention and you notice visible improvements in their oral health, you can continue following these tips to prevent such issues in future. Keep checking your dog’s mouth and teeth periodically to promptly identify an issue.

Now that we are well aware of the importance of maintaining a good oral hygiene for our beloved pets, let’s take a pledge to take their oral health very seriously.  Let’s take small steps towards a more responsible parenting for the sake of those we consider no less than our babies. May their fresh breath sway your mind  their smile fill your heart with joy and happiness.

Happy Pawrenting!