Very much like us, our dogs’ teeth should be taken care of. If your pet’s teeth are not kept clean, they can be smeared with plaque, leading to various dental issues. That is why cleaning your dog’s teeth is an essential daily practice, so like you, they can have healthy, whiter teeth. Keep reading to learn how to remove tartar from dog teeth easily and quickly from the comfort of your home.
Plaque and Tartar on Dog’s Teeth
All the foods that your pet eats can start to form plaque. It happens when the bacteria from the food blend with your dog’s saliva, which adheres to the outer layer of the teeth. A grayish sticky film covers the external layer of your canine’s teeth, usually known as plaque.
If the plaque stays on the tooth for 3-5 days, it will solidify and become tartar. On the other hand, tartar buildup happens when the plaque blends with minerals in your dog’s saliva.
Moreover, suppose the tartar is not removed. It can result in numerous dental problems, including periodontal disease in dogs.
How to Remove Plaque and Tartar from Your Dog’s Teeth
Dog Dental Treats and Chews
Numerous dental treats and toys can give a lift to your dog’s dental care. These can help remove plaque and tartar buildup by diminishing the development of saliva, food, and microscopic organisms on the outer layer of the teeth and gums. Dental treats and chews keep your dog’s mouth clean and freshen your pet’s breath, particularly if you are not brushing your dog’s teeth.
Some dental chew makers claim that their items help reduce plaque by 50-70%. However, there is not sufficient proof to support this percentage. In any case, the best way to find a quality dental chew is to look for The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval on the product. Or then again, you can ask your vet for recommendations.
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
The best way to whiten those pearly whites and control the progression of tooth decay is through the tooth brushing method. Just like us, your dog’s teeth should be cleaned frequently. Try to brush your dog’s teeth daily, or at least 2-4 times a week.
Remember to use pet toothpaste intended for dogs. Human kinds of toothpaste have components that can cause your pet sick, and spitting it out is a challenging trick to them.
In addition, get a proper toothbrush for your pet. Try to choose the bristles that are softer and denser than standard toothbrushes of humans. For puppies or smaller dogs, you can buy a finger brush or simply utilize a piece of clean cloth.
Tips For Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
- Begin cleaning your dog’s teeth from an early age for the absolute best at progress. You can start brushing your pet’s teeth at 8 weeks old.
- Get your pet used to you dealing with his mouth before you ever begin brushing. Put your finger in something he loves, for example, bone broth. After that, rub your finger on his gum line.
- Have reasonable assumptions. Cleaning your dog’s mouth requires time and persistence. When you initially begin, you will just be cleaning a couple of teeth for a few moments daily, slowly working your way up after some time.
- Remain calm and praise your dog all through the cleaning process. If you are nervous and tense, your pet will be as well!
Essential Steps for Dog Tooth Brushing
- Select a day when your dog is relaxed, such as after a long walk or an energetic play session.
- Let your pet lick or sniff the products, so he knows about the texture or taste of the things.
- Sit or kneel before or to the side of your pet. Try not to float over your dog or nail him down. This will cause your canine to feel threatened.
- After that, put some toothpaste on the brush, set one hand over the upper area of your dog’s mouth, and slowly lift the lips.
- Using your other hand, clean the teeth in a circular movement at a 45-degree angle. In this position, your pet can make his jaws closed now. Simply concentrate on brushing the teeth’ external surface because this is the place where gum disease is most common. Once your dog is okay with the tooth brushing method, you can open the mouth and clean the back teeth. In any case, focus on brushing the teeth for at least five seconds.
- Lastly, give a dental treat. Indeed, regardless of whether it turned out poorly. This will create a positive connection with tooth brushing in your dog’s mind.
Dental Wipes
Wiping your dog’s teeth is a less compelling but viable choice for pets that will not endure tooth brushing. Dental wipes work by eliminating a portion of the biofilm and plaque that sticks to your pet’s teeth. This practice is not as efficient as a toothbrush in cleaning the teeth, especially in the gingival sulcus, the point at which the tooth and gums meet.
You can purchase dental wipes that contain a substance known as sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP). This ingredient helps to separate calcium, one of the minerals that promote calculus. It then blends with the dog’s saliva to help remove plaque from the teeth. Moreover, other pet dental wipes have ingredients that help diminish the bacterial weight in the mouth.
Professional Cleaning
Most canines after 3 years old have the early sign of dental disease, or they have plaque and tartar buildup that cannot be eliminated by brushing or chewing. That is why a veterinarian recommends professional dental cleanings. For us adults, if we have severe cases of teeth and gum damage, we resort to restorative procedures or we can also undergo plastic surgery. Significantly for pets, these dental issues such as bad breath, tooth decay, and periodontal disease affect their health and cause severe pain. In any case, a dental cleaning prevents harming the teeth and vital systems that happen with untreated dental problems.
Moreover, professional cleaning is the best approach to guarantee the removal of plaque and tartar. This straightforward technique is done under sedation in a veterinary clinic and does not need overnight stays. Dental x-rays done as a cleaning component can show the issues that live underneath the gum line.
Takeaway
Dogs with dental health problems frequently have a diminished life expectancy, pain related to infection and tooth decay, and regularly lose their teeth over time. These ongoing issues affect the major organs of the body, such as the heart and kidneys. Hence, dental care practice is crucial in your pet’s overall health and well-being.
If you want to know more about how to keep your pet’s teeth clean, prevent or remove plaque from your tailed friend’s teeth, then schedule an appointment with your vet. Together, you and your vet can keep that sweet fur friend smiling!
References:
What is Plaque?
https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/patient-education/patient-materials/what-is-plaque
Tartar Causes.
https://www.news-medical.net/health/Tartar-Causes.aspx
The 9 Best Dog Dental Chews, According to Veterinarians and Pet Pros.
The VOHC seal — Why is it important?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3058665/
Effect of sodium hexametaphosphate concentration and cooking time on the physicochemical properties of pasteurized process cheese.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022030210002924