Public Forum Proceed to Auspet's New Discussion Forum | Pet Directory | Classifieds | Home | LinkXchange


Click here to make Auspet.com your default home page

  Auspet - Message Boards
  Articles - Dog Care & Health
  Grooming - Dog dental care

Post New Topic  Post A Reply
profile | register | preferences | faq | search

UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! next newest topic | next oldest topic
Author Topic:   Grooming - Dog dental care
Auspetian

Administrator

Posts: 435
From:Sydney
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 05-17-2003 08:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Auspetian     Edit/Delete Message
Dogs are loyal, playful, and affectionate. Because they are so companionable, they are often dubbed "man's best friends." But dogs share many other characteristics with their human owners, including a tendency towards developing gingivitis (gum disease) as they age. Gingivitis has been diagnosed in dogs as young as three, but a dental hygiene regimen, including regular home brushing, can prevent its development.


The normal canine mouth has 44 teeth--22 on the top and 22 on the bottom. These teeth are divided into 8 upper and 6 lower incisors, 4 canines, 16 premolars, and 4 upper and 6 lower molars. Canine teeth are designed to rip and shred food and suited for a carnivorous diet.

The greatest threat to a dog's dental health is gingivitis. Dogs do not normally get cavities, but are prone to developing a brown substance called calculus around their gums. Calculus, laden with bacteria, can eventually cause canine gums to recede, exposing the root. Teeth can loosen in their sockets, opening up the possibility of infection. Although antibiotics can suppress gum infection, only tartar removal can prevent infection from reoccurring. Infection can travel throughout the mouth, causing pharyngitis, and, in advanced cases, can enter the blood stream, even causing kidney and heart disease.


Tartar control biscuits, bones, and chew-eez can help reduce tartar buildup above the gumline, but only regular brushing can reach the crtical areas below the gumline.


Owners should brush their dog's teeth at least twice a week.


Brushing a dog's teeth is easier than brushing your own. Their narrow teeth are spaced more widely than human teeth, eliminating the need for flossing. Their teeth only touch in one or two places. A toothbrush can reach 90% of the areas that need to be brushed.


Toothpaste Always use a specially formulated dog toothpaste. Because dogs can't rinse and spit after a brushing, the paste must be safe for pets to swallow. Some human toothpastes contain detergents which can irritate pets' stomachs, and, in addition, large quantities of ingested fluoride can harm pets. A typical dog toothpaste is chicken or beef-flavored and contains water, sorbitol, silica, cellulose gum, Trisodium EDTA, Methylparaben, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide.


Toothbrush Most dog dental kits contain a toothbrush and toothpaste, sold together. If using a human toothbrush, pick a soft, nylon bristle, and, for a smaller dog, child-sized brush. Finger brushes can be purchased as well. These fit on a fingertip and allow owners easier access to their dogs' mouths. Electric toothbrushes can be used if dogs can tolerate the mechanical noise.


The Act of Brushing Let the dog taste the toothpaste before attempting to brush his teeth. Allow him to lick the toothpaste off your brush. When he has tasted the toothpaste, reapply paste to the brush and start brushing in a circular motion. It is important to keep your dog calm and relaxed by praising him and stroking his neck area. When your dog is relaxed, pull back his lips and cheeks to gain access to the premolars and molars.


Brushing Frequency Veterinarians recommend that a dog's teeth be brushed at least twice a week, perhaps more frequently for dogs with stubborn dental problems.


Professional Cleanings Depending on the individual dog, professional tooth cleaning is recommended every one to three years. This cleaning, which takes place under general anesthesia, consists of scaling to remove tartar above and below the gum line; polishing to smooth the surface of the teeth; and flushing, to dislodge tartar and bacteria.


The act of brushing a dog's teeth twice weekly, while initially daunting, becomes easier with practice and routine. Caring for your dog's dental hygiene will assure good dental health and prevent many more serious dental and medical problems as he ages.

IP: Logged



All times are ET (US)

next newest topic | next oldest topic

Administrative Options: Close Topic | Archive/Move | Delete Topic
Post New Topic  Post A Reply
Hop to:

Contact Us | Auspet.com


Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45c
















© 1999-2017 AusPet.com