Doggie Braces - Help for Pooches with Tooth Problems
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 85 percent of all dogs have dental problems. Tooth problems for any dog begins with plaque, even if your dog's teeth look healthy, there can be plaque. Plaque hardening into tartar can lead to tooth and tissue loss. Bacteria and plaque on a dog’s teeth causes the dog's gums to get swollen and infected causing gingivitis. Then, the gums get ulcers and plaque on the dog's teeth becomes hard. The most common cause of bad breath in your dog is tartar buildup surrounding the teeth. Small particles of food remain in the dog’s mouth after eating. These particles decompose creating conditions that allow oral bacteria thrive. These bacterial grow to form plaque, and give the dog’s breath an objectionable odor.
Dental disease in your dog can cause health problems. Dental disease can lead to disease of the dog’s kidney and liver. Tartar accumulation around the teeth allows harmful bacteria to proliferate, and these bacteria occasionally break loose and enter the pet’s circulation. Once in the blood stream, they lodge in crevices with the kidneys and liver and on the valves of the heart. A result of the bacteria lodging in these organs is liver inflammation, and poorly functioning kidneys. When bacteria attack the heart valves, they shrink and scar causing blood to flow in the wrong direction, which causes a heart murmur.
Poor oral upkeep causes a dog’s teeth to break off. Sometimes the tooth is wearing down due to bite problems, holding a tennis ball too often, chewing on fur (usually allergic dogs) or from certain chew toys like Nylabones. When the tooth begins to wear down there, will be a dark brown circle at the tip of the remaining tooth which is a sign that the tooth is repairing itself as it is being worn. When the tooth is dying, it may have a pink or light brown color affecting the whole tooth and the gums are often inflamed in the region of the tooth.
To avoid tooth problems, dog owners should treat their dog’s teeth like human teeth. To ensure dogs’ teeth are healthy owners should brush their teeth daily. Daily tooth brushing is the best way to remove and prevent plaque build up. The Hartz Electric Toothbrush is a product that makes brushing your dog’s teeth easier. When this brush is used as directed, it is clinically proven to reduce tartar by 85 percent and plaque by 28 percent after three weeks. When brushing their dog’s teeth owners should remember to use toothpaste made for dogs, it’s designed to be swallowed and does not foam up in the mouth.
If you can’t brush your dog’s teeth every day then by them treats that have dental benefits. The chewing action of pet products like Hartz Nutri-Fresh ChewTM with OdorZapTM crystals, can reduce tartar up to 61 percent. Also, owners should buy their dogs toys with dental benefits. Some newer chew toys have raised tips that help remove plaque and tartar. For example, the Hartz® Chew 'n Clean® Deli CutsTM help clean teeth. These toys also provide chewing exercise, which strengthens gums. It’s also important for dogs to have a yearly dental checkup. The older the dog the more important early dental exams become.
A proper diet for your dog may also help reduce tooth problems. To retard the formation of plaque it’s best to feed your pet a name brand dry commercial pet food. The crunchy biscuits help massage gums and wear away tartar. It’s best not to feed your dog a canned diet. The build up of plaque in pets fed soft, canned diets is rapid. By combining regular veterinary checkups with a consistent dental regimen at home, pet owners can help their dogs have healthier teeth and gums, and there will be no need for your pooch to wear doggie braces.
