As a loving pet owner, you do everything possible to keep your dog in tip-top shape, from feeding him the most nutritious food and treats to making sure he exercises daily and taking him to the veterinarian for preventative care. But are you paying enough attention to dog oral care? If not, it's time to change your ways. After all, proper care is what makes the difference between healthy dog teeth and an oral condition that could be causing your pup discomfort (or even pain).
When the structures supporting a dog's teeth become damaged or infected, the teeth loosen and fall out. Good dog dental care will ensure that those teeth-supporting structures stay healthy and keep the teeth in place.
If a whiff of your dog's breath makes your nose hairs curl, it's time for some good dental care. When your dog has a healthy mouth and healthy dog teeth, bad breath won't be a problem.
Dental disease, especially when it's severe, can be quite painful for dogs. Keeping your dog's teeth and gums healthy will help prevent oral pain.
Bacteria in the plaque can enter the bloodstream and spread to the heart, kidneys and liver. This spread of bacteria, called bacteraemia, can damage organs and make dogs quite sick. Good oral health will help prevent bacteraemia and subsequent organ damage.
Because so many dogs have dental disease by the time they're 3 years old, it can be difficult to prevent it from developing in the first place. However, good dog dental care can prevent dental disease from becoming severe and causing problems throughout the body.