Tips for healthy dog ​​teeth

The importance of healthy teeth

[Jack Segers, dierenarts] Unfortunately, dental problems in dogs are becoming more and more common. This is clearly reflected in the number of dental treatments at the vet, which has increased in recent years. The dental treatments are in third place after castration and sterilization. A dog really needs teeth and they are an essential part of the entire digestive process. Good dental care at the vet are therefore no superfluous luxury. In this blog I tell you more about the cause of dental problems in dogs, how you can recognize the problems and I give you tips for maintaining healthy dog ​​teeth.”

Most common dental problems

Just like as are inflamed gums and periondontitis very common. Periondontitis is a gum inflammation that goes further then just gum and causes plaque and later tartar. Some symptoms are red and swollen gum, bleeding gum after brushing or eating and receding gum. Bad breath can also be a symptom for periondontitis. If tartar isn’t removed it could lead to severe problems. In some cases it could lead to inflammation in the lungs and heart valves.

What is the cause of dental problems

Dental problem are caused by remaining food and bacteria that form plaque on the teeth of the dog. This is caused by not chewing enough, wrong food, or by bad dental care.

– Chewing too little.

Chewing ensures a good amount and quality of saliva, which reduces bacterial growth in the mouth. Chewing also massages the gums, which keeps them healthy. Therefore, do not give your dog kibble that is much too easy to eat because it does not really need to be chewed, but better good solid kibble. In addition, a chewing stick or toy can also help keep the teeth healthy.

– Wrong diet.

Too much sweetness, especially in the smaller breeds of dogs, often increases the risk of dental problems. Even when you only give wet food, there is a greater chance that food residues will get stuck behind the teeth and plaque can form.

– Not or poorly cleaning the teeth.

Proper cleaning and cleaning of the dog’s teeth helps prevent many problems. If tartar has not yet formed, you can properly clean the teeth yourself by brushing your teeth. However, a dog must allow this. The advice is therefore: start brushing the teeth from the moment your dog is a puppy. You can learn this through play. If tartar or a lot of plaque has already formed, brushing your teeth alone is no longer sufficient. Tartar is very hard and cannot be removed with brushing. The vet can clean your dog’s teeth so that the tartar that has formed does not lead to inflammation and thus pain or loss of molars and teeth.

How do you recognize dental problems?

• Bad irritating smell from the mouth
• Not chewing well
• Behavorial changes, sometimes even aggressive.

Tips for healthy dog teeth

• Have your teeth checked if you are at the vet for a vaccination, for example. You can also easily do this yourself by lifting the side of the lip to view the molars, where the white and yellowish plaque is often visible.
• Chewing material. Give your dog chews such as a chew stick or toy.
• Polish. Start playing with this when your dog is still a puppy.
• Proper nutrition. Choose a good dog food and preferably only give your dog healthy snacks without (too much) sugars.
• Care. An extra supplement with a product such as FlexRex Dental Care can also contribute to maintaining healthy teeth. FlexRex Dental Care is a 100% natural feed based on a special type of algae. It improves saliva via the gastrointestinal tract, which keeps the condition of the gums healthy and ensures good breath.

Prevent dental problems and keep your dog’s teeth healthy. Check them regularly and keep them clean!