Dental health and cleaning in dogs: What to pay attention to?

Tooth cleaning in dogs

How to clean teeth in dogs?

Gum diseases and tooth decay can cause serious health problems in dogs. Therefore, regular dental cleaning is an important issue for dog health. Brushing your dog's teeth regularly is the most important part of dental care. While doing this, you need to use the appropriate brush and toothpaste. Place the toothbrush in your dog's mouth and gently brush the outer surface of the teeth, then the inner surface and back sides. You can gently pull your dog's lips up to keep his mouth open. Also brush your dog's gums, but the gums may be sensitive. Do this gently and do not use a hard brush to prevent bleeding.

Initially, your dog may not be used to brushing, so start brushing briefly and increase the time a little more each time. If you have trouble brushing your dog's teeth, use dry food in your dog's diet to prevent tartar buildup. Dry foods can help clean teeth. You can also consult your veterinarian to recommend different methods or to clean your dog's teeth.

Brushing teeth in dogs

How often should dogs' teeth be brushed?

Dogs' teeth should be brushed at least once or twice a week. However, if your dog's gums and teeth are not healthy, for example if plaque accumulates rapidly on his teeth, your veterinarian may recommend a different brushing program.

How to brush dog's teeth?

Dogs' teeth should be brushed with specially designed dog toothbrushes. Dog toothbrushes have softer bristles and clean dogs' gums without damaging them. You can also use a finger toothbrush that fits over the finger. The sizes of the brushes vary depending on the size of the dog. Your veterinarian can help you choose a toothbrush suitable for your dog's mouth structure.

In addition to using a suitable toothbrush, toothpaste should also be produced for dogs. Dog toothpastes are formulated to be ingested by dogs, and toothpastes used by humans can be toxic to dogs and harm their stomachs. In addition, the smell and taste of dog toothpaste are such that dogs like it.

When does tooth brushing start in dogs?

Tooth brushing in dogs should start when they are puppies, if possible. Puppy teeth usually begin to appear around 3-4 weeks of age, with a full set of teeth completed by 6-8 weeks of age. Therefore, the best time for your puppy to start brushing his teeth is when his teeth erupt.

To make the tooth brushing process easier and less stressful, dogs should be accustomed to it when they are puppies. You can start with short sessions, such as games, and increase the time over time, and give a small reward after each brushing process.

What can be used instead of dog toothpaste?

If you do not want to use dog toothpaste or there is no left at home, you can prepare dog toothpaste at home with natural ingredients.

Homemade dog toothpaste recipe

Finely chop 10-15 leaves of fresh mint (you can also use 1 teaspoon of powdered dried mint). Mix half a cup of coconut oil, two tablespoons of baking soda and mint in a bowl. Put the mixture you prepared in a jar or a container with a lid. This toothpaste is generally safe for dogs, but consult your veterinarian before using versa for sensitivity on your dog's teeth or gums.

Tartar removal in dogs

What causes tartar in dogs?

Dental tartar in dogs occurs as a result of the hardening of plaque and tartar accumulated on the teeth. Plaque is a colorless film that accumulates on the teeth. It hardens over time, causing tartar formation. The main reason for plaque formation is the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth as a result of not brushing teeth regularly and inadequate oral hygiene. Dental tartar poses a serious risk to dog dental health. It can cause gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and even tooth loss.

How to clean dental tartar in dogs?

Tooth tartar cleaning in dogs is usually done professionally by veterinarians under anesthesia. Special dental cleaning tools and ultrasonic devices are used in the process. However, if the problem is not too advanced, scaling can be done at home with special dental cleaning kits. However, you should definitely get information from your veterinarian about how to use these kits.

Tooth loss and tooth change in dogs

At what age do dogs shed their teeth?

Although the tooth loss process in dogs may vary depending on breed, genetic factors, nutritional habits and environmental factors, it generally occurs between 3 and 7 months. During this period, the dog's 28 milk teeth fall out over time and are gradually replaced by 42 permanent teeth. During the teething process, your dog may feel tenderness and pain. However, if you notice severe pain, bleeding or other abnormal symptoms, be sure to contact your veterinarian.

What should dogs do when teething?

You can reduce the discomfort your dog may experience during the teething process with the help of the following suggestions:

• Teething toys can soothe your dog's gums
• Cold objects such as an icy towel or a chilled teether can reduce the pain.
• If you notice swelling of the gums, redness, or other abnormal symptoms on the teeth, contact your veterinarian.
• Avoid giving hard, chewy foods. Instead, feed him soft foods and special dental care products.
• Comfort him by giving him more love and attention.

Tooth decay in dogs

Do dogs' teeth decay?

Yes, dogs' teeth can decay. Decay begins and progresses when bacteria on the surface of the teeth damage the tooth enamel. A dog's diet, dental care habits, genetic predisposition, aging and various other factors can cause tooth decay. If left untreated, tooth decay can lead to tooth loss, gum disease, and other serious dental health problems. Your dog's teeth should be brushed regularly, dental stones should be cleaned and veterinary check-ups should be performed. It is also recommended to use foods and dental health products that help with dental health in dogs' diets.

How to recognize toothache in dogs?

The following symptoms may be a sign that your dog has a toothache:

• Rejection of food due to the pain he feels
• Increased saliva flow
• Less playing with chew toys and bones
• Bad odor
• Head Different behaviors than normal such as shaking, scratching the face, keeping the mouth open

How to treat tooth decay in dogs?

Tooth decay occurs when the enamel and gum tissue on the hard outer surfaces of the teeth dissolve. When it progresses, it can damage the soft pulp tissue in the middle of the tooth and cause infection. Tooth decay in dogs is a condition that requires the intervention of a veterinarian. Depending on the condition of the tooth, the veterinarian may recommend treatment methods such as dental cleaning, filling, root canal treatment or, in more advanced cases, tooth extraction.

Gingivitis and its treatment in dogs

Gingivitis in dogs is an infection or inflammation that occurs in the gum tissue. Gingivitis is a common dental problem in dogs. Additionally, when gingivitis progresses, it can cause damage to other organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. If you notice redness, swelling, bleeding or tenderness in your dog's gums, you may suspect gingivitis. In addition, bad breath and toothache are some of the symptoms.

In the treatment, your veterinarian first cleans your dog's gums with ultrasonic cleaners, special toothbrushes and special gum cleaning tools. If gingivitis is advanced, more advanced treatment methods such as antibiotic treatment, cleaning of gum pockets and tooth extraction can be applied.

To prevent gingivitis, brush your dog's teeth regularly, add dietary supplements that support gum health to its diet, use special dental health products and do not neglect regular veterinary check-ups.