Take Good Care of Your Dog’s Teeth

Your dog is much loved member of your family. He offers friendship and loyalty without demanding much in return. You want your dog to have a long and healthy life, so it's critical that you give him the care and tending he needs.

But one thing that many people don't really think about when it comes to taking care of their dogs is their teeth. Wild dogs manage to keep their teeth free of plaque by chewing on bones. This naturally scrapes off the plaque and helps to get rid of any food particles caught in their teeth that could lead to out of control bacteria growth.

But your dog isn’t a wild animal, and he needs some assistance in eliminating these bacteria, which frequently lead to health problems including bad breath. Dogs typically eat soft, wet food and small nuggets of harder food products. In comparison to the raw bones that wild dogs gnaw, these foods are of little use in caring for his teeth.

So your first step should be to give your dog bones to chew on a regular basis, preferably at least twice a week. They don't need to be actual bones. They can be the rawhide products that are readily available at a pet store or even the supermarket. As they attack the bone with their chewing, the plaque is scraped away from their teeth and meat particles that might be caught in their teeth will work their way out before they cause any problems.

If a bone isn’t doing the job, or if your dog isn't interested in this pastime, then you need to get up close and personal. This means brushing his teeth with a toothbrush and paste. But don't just use a spare toothbrush and a tube of Crest. Special toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs are available at most pet stores. It's best to brush his teeth every day, but three or four times a week is the minimum if you want to avoid problems. Make sure you give his teeth a good scrubbing and also massage his gums to improve the circulation. Dig out any trapped food particles.

Dry dog food is better than the wet products for maintaining good dental health. It’s not a replacement for a good cleaning, but it does make a difference. So be sure to vary his diet to allow for both dry and canned products. Dog biscuits can also be useful for removing plaque because they’re dry and hard.

When you take your dog the vet for his regular checkup, ask the doctor to check his mouth and teeth. The vet will notice anything that you might have missed. And they can give you guidance on proper teeth cleaning and the foods that are best for clean teeth and the elimination of bacteria.

If you keep up on the maintenance of your dog's teeth, you'll be certain to save money in the end. And the most important thing is that your dog will be around for you and your family for a long time to come.