Dental Health for Dogs & Dental Disease.
What is dental disease?
Dental disease describes the infection and associated inflammation of the tissue surrounding the tooth, it begins when the bacteria in the mouth multiply on the tooth’s surface and form an invisible layer called plaque. Some plaque will be removed naturally by the dog’s tongue or chewing habits. If the plaque is not removed from the surface of the tooth it hardens into tartar. When plaque comes into contact with the gums, inflammation can occur which is known as gingivitis which can cause the pain and bleeding gums. If untreated the infection will spread deeper into the tooth socket, ultimately damaging the boney structures supporting the teeth. This stage of dental disease can cause serious pain and problems for your dog.
Unfortunately, dental disease may not always be obvious as your dog may continue to eat and drink normally in order to survive. Creating a healthy dental care regime is incredibly important as infection from dental disease can travel through the bloodstream and create chronic disease and illness elsewhere in the body.
Why is dental care important?
It prevents oral pain. Severe dental disease is painful so keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy will prevent them from being in pain. It prevents tooth loss. Good dental care will ensure the structures supporting their teeth stay healthy and keep the teeth from falling out.
It prevents bad breath. A healthy mouth and teeth will avoid your dog having a breath that makes your nose hairs curl.
It prevents subsequent organ damage. Bacteria in your dog’s mouth can enter their bloodstream and damage organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. Good oral health will prevent the number of bacteria entering the bloodstream.
Our qualified and experienced vet nurses are specially trained to recognise dental disease and give advice and treatment options accordingly.
How can you help your dog’s dental care?
Brush your dog’s teeth regularly. Make sure you use a safe dog toothbrush and toothpaste. This should be started young to help your dog become comfortable with the process using positive reinforcement. Our nurses can show you how. Feed your dog a dental care diet. If your dog has no other health concerns, consider feeding a diet make specially to help with dental care, such as Hills t/d or Royal Canid Dental diet. Give your dog dental treats. Chewing dental treats such as Whimzees, Prozyme Sticks, Greenies and OraVet Dental Hygiene Chews may help clean teeth. Add in a water additive. Oxyfresh is a safe and effective way to support pet dental health and strengthen gum tissue. It safely and effectively helps in fight against plaque and tartar, promoting healthy gums and gives them the freshest breath. Professional dental cleaning at your vets may be recommended. Either due to your dogs oral anatomy, genetics, eating habits, diet, oral trauma or disease, sometimes nothing is going to completely prevent dental disease and a professional dental clean under anaesthesia will be required.
If the best course of action for your dog is professional dental cleaning under anaesthesia, you will receive a $50 discount voucher at Thornbury Vet Hospital.
