Mouth problems are very common in dogs. These problems have different phases, each with its own characteristics. Dogs from nature were much less affected by this because they have to catch and tear their prey themselves. Fortunately, there are options for cleaning and keeping the teeth clean.
In the natural conditions of the dog, such as with the ancestors of our four-legged friends, the dogs had little or no tartar. When the dogs have caught prey in the natural conditions, they have to tear off the skin to get to the meat. By tearing the skin, the teeth are, as it were, sanded clean and kept free of dental plaque. Also, due to the balanced food in the oral cavity, the bacteria have no chance to multiply. This prevents gingivitis.
Dental plaque
Dental plaque is caused by saliva and food residues. The dogs we keep at home do not get a full animal in their food bowl. We give them food in the form of chunks, frozen meat and / or wet food. Due to the brittleness and the various additives in these food forms, the teeth are sanded less cleanly, so that food residues stick to the teeth more quickly. That is why it is very important that we help the dogs to clean their teeth.
Dental plaque
Dental plaque is a sticky, often friable, white substance that sticks to the tooth. Dental plaque is the start of subsequent dental problems because it provides an excellent place for bacteria that can settle there. In this phase it is very important to clean the teeth regularly.
Cleaning the teeth can be done in two ways:
- Good dog chews are hard and have several notches. Because of these two properties, they have to make a lot of effort to eat them. The dog will scrape the chewing stick with the teeth, which provides a natural cleaning effect.
- Brushing your teeth is possible just like with humans. Special toothbrushes and toothpaste have been developed for dogs. Human toothpaste is not suitable for dogs because it contains xylitol. This substance is highly toxic to dogs.
Tartar
If plaque is not removed regularly, it will turn into tartar. In dogs, tartar is not white as in humans, but can be recognized by the brownish hard layer near the gums. When a dog has tartar, it will stink a lot from its mouth because bacteria settle in the tartar. Removing tartar is not as easy as removing plaque. It is therefore advisable to go to the vet for this. Here the dog will be anesthetized so that the tartar can be removed very precisely with mechanical means.
Gum disease
If the tartar is not removed, gingivitis can develop. Plaque and tartar are the ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. The bacteria then attack the gums, causing it to become inflamed. This phase can be recognized by the red swollen gums and the smelly odor. If nothing is done about this inflammation, the bacteria will start to attack the tooth roots, eventually causing the teeth to become loose.
The dog is experiencing pain
A dog with gum disease and / or rotting teeth will experience pain while eating. The owners can recognize this phase because the dog starts to eat less or even stops eating. If not acted quickly in this phase, the teeth will fall out of the mouth due to the rotting process.
Some dogs have an increased risk of dental problems
There are dogs that have an increased risk of dental problems. You can think of dogs with an under or over bite, and dogs with crooked teeth. It is therefore important to check and clean the teeth of these dogs regularly.