The best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean is to brush them daily. Unfortunately, this is something that most pet owners have a hard time doing consistently. In addition to regular teeth brushing, a visit to the veterinary dentist at least once a year for professional teeth cleaning is the best way to clean the plaque under the gumline. There are many veterinary dentists near me, and I am also very sure that there are several in your locality.
Breed Specific
Some high-risk breeds prone to periodontal disease include the Pug, French bulldog, Bulldog, Boxer, Boston terrier, Pekingese, Yorkshire terrier, Chihuahua, Shih Tzu, Toy poodle.
How Do You Solve The Dental Problems Of Dogs?
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Brushing your dog’s teeth:
If you have not incorporated brushing your dog’s teeth as a regular part of your daily routine, it is high time you did. The procedure is pretty straightforward. Here’s how to get started:
- Make It Fun: Purchase a dog-specific toothpaste that will appeal to the taste buds of your dog.
- Slow but steady: Let your dog sniff the toothpaste first and allow the dog to lick it off the toothbrush. If he shows indifference, you can try linking tooth brushing with a positive activity he loves, like going for a walk, playing catch, or a car ride. That way, this fun activity serves as positive reinforcement.
- Brush: It is important to brush all parts of the mouth with special emphasis on the outside or the cheek side of the teeth since that’s where most periodontal disease progresses. The mechanical action of brushing the dog’s teeth helps in breaking up the plaque on the teeth.
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Dog Teeth Cleaning Treats:
Dog teeth cleaning treats are now very common on store shelves. However, if you’re considering giving your dog teeth-cleaning treats, you’ll want to look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval, an independent group that examines tests on treats to prove that they work.
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Teeth cleaning toys for dogs:
Some toys can help break up plaque as your pet chews on them, and it also serves as a good energy outlet for your dog.
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Professional Teeth Cleaning:
If it’s determined that your pup needs a a professional dental cleaning, your veterinary dentist would have taken a full physical exam and take a blood sample earlier to ascertain that your dog is healthy enough to undergo anesthesia safely. General anesthesia is needed because a breathing tube has to be inserted into the dog’s trachea to protect the airway so that there’s not potentially debris or water going into the airway.
In the course of the cleaning, the veterinary dental specialist will check for cavities, non-vital teeth, and periodontal disease. While your pet is under anesthesia, the veterinary dentist will also extract any teeth that need to be removed to help prevent pain or infection.
There are several animal vet clinics in Texas that provide affordable pet dental care, such as Safarivet.
Safarivet is an affordable pet clinic that provides great value for money. A trial will convince you.