Everything You Need to Know About Your Dog's Dental Health
Sundays
Have you ever wondered whether you need to brush your pup’s teeth? Or how to take care of your dog’s dental health? Then this guide is for you!
What’s the first thing you think of when it comes to keeping your dog healthy? You likely think of diet, exercise, and overall quality of life.
What about dental health? Is it important to take care of your dog’s teeth to prevent dental disease just like you take care of your own mouth?
The answer is absolutely yes. Dental health is an essential factor of canine health that many pup parents tend to overlook.
It’s essential to keep your dog’s mouth healthy, plaque-free, and cavity-free to support their comfort, and prevent issues like infection and even tooth loss. How can you take care of your dog’s teeth? This guide breaks down everything you need to know.
Can I Brush My Dog's Teeth?
When you think of dog dental health for your furry BFF, you’re likely wondering whether or not you can brush your dog’s teeth. The answer is yes, you absolutely can–and should!
The best thing you can do for your dog’s dental care routine is brushing their teeth. When you brush your dog's teeth, you can help get rid of plaque buildup.
Plaque is a problem for dog parents and dogs alike. Plaque is a soft layer of bacteria that forms as film on teeth. When we don’t brush our teeth, plaque can turn into tartar, which is much more difficult to remove.
Tartar build-up can lead to gum disease and further dental problems like tooth decay. Brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to prevent plaque and tartar build-up in the first place and keep your dog’s smile healthy.
The type of toothpaste and toothbrush you use matters, too. Be sure to use a toothpaste specifically made for dogs. Human toothpaste contains abrasives and chemicals that shouldn’t be swallowed, which your dog is bound to do.
How should you brush your dog’s teeth and how often? Let’s take a closer look below.
How To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
Brushing your dog's teeth is all about technique. A general rule of thumb to follow is to keep the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle. Tilt the toothbrush at about a halfway-perpendicular angle facing the gum line.
This helps remove the harder-to-reach plaque and works to prevent gum concerns later on. This also helps remove bacteria from the teeth and gum line. Use a gentle, circular pattern while brushing, making sure not to push down too hard on your dog’s gums.
Be sure to pay careful attention to the upper teeth. They do most of the chewing, so they should receive extra care.
How Often Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?
Ideally, dog teeth cleaning should be done once or twice a day to maintain your pet’s oral health.
Occasionally, you can wait a day in between, but brushing daily can reap the most benefits. You can also brush your dog’s teeth once every few days if they’re not enthusiastic about it, or take advantage of pup-specific teeth-cleaning solutions you can safely add to their drinking water.
What About Professional Cleanings?
Most people get their teeth professionally cleaned once or twice a year during a dental checkup. This is an excellent way to keep your dental hygiene in tip-top shape. You may be wondering whether these dental procedures extend to your furry friends too, and the answer is yes.
You can take your pup to the doggy dentist to get their teeth professionally cleaned. Making regular visits with your pup is a powerful way to prevent disease and keep their dental health in check.
Simply visit your regular veterinarian for a dental cleaning. They’ll be able to address and treat any dental issues and clean your dog’s teeth thoroughly.
Does a Dog’s Diet Affect Their Dental Health?
If you’re wondering whether or not diet influences dental hygiene, the answer is yes. Diet matters for a range of reasons.
Your dog’s diet influences all the nutrients and vitamins they get. It’s essential to give your dog the best diet possible in order to support dental health and overall health.
Here are some of the best ingredients you can incorporate into a special dental diet for your dog’s dental health.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory ingredient. Not only does it contain a wide range of potent vitamins and nutrients, but it also acts as an antimicrobial, meaning it can help remove plaque and bacteria.
Turmeric is known for various health benefits, and its support in dental health is just another reason to include this ingredient in your dog’s diet.
Calcium
When you think of which ingredients are the best for your dog’s teeth, you probably think of calcium. And, you’d be right. Calcium is an excellent ingredient for dental health as it helps strengthen bones and teeth.
It’s important to give your furry friend a natural source of calcium like ground bone. This will help support tooth integrity and overall dental health.
Carrots
Carrots are another snack your pup can enjoy that also helps with dental health. Carrots are low calorie, high in nutrition, and are great for naturally scraping your dog’s teeth as they eat when given raw.
Plus, carrots are packed with fiber and beta-carotene which helps make vitamin A.
Apples
Your dog can also enjoy apples. Apples are rich in vitamins A and C, as well as fiber. They’re low in protein and fat and high in nutrients. The texture of apples can also help scrape your dog’s teeth.
It’s essential to keep apples, like all snacks, in moderation as they’re higher in natural sugars than other foods. It’s also a good idea to make sure your dog doesn’t eat any seeds or the core of an apple.
Dry Food & Dental Treats
Dry food is the best type of food to give your dog when supporting dental health.
Some believe that the texture of kibble can help naturally scrape plaque away, but the lack of nutritional value in kibble isn’t worth the potential to maybe scrape plaque from your pup’s teeth.
Additionally, while dental treats and harder dog chews, in general, are great for dental health, check the ingredients to make sure sugar isn’t a main ingredient. Sugar can cause cavities and do more harm than good.
Why Sundays Is Excellent for Dental Health
What you feed your dog matters. Not only does your dog’s food determine the nutrients and energy they run on for the rest of the day, but it also determines their dental health.
That’s why we made Sundays. We know how important it is to feed your dog the very best. With whole fruits, whole vegetables, real protein, and no added ingredients, fillers, or synthetics, you can feed your dog food that supports their teeth and so much more.
Plus, our dog food is carefully formulated to include only the best ingredients. Checking all of the boxes above with turmeric, carrots, apples, and sources of calcium like ground beef bone, you can fill your dog’s diet with the nutrients they need for a healthy smile.
Other Ways To Support Your Pup’s Dental Health
Brushing your dog’s teeth and feeding them a nutritious diet are the top ways to support your dog’s dental health. Nevertheless, there are a few other ways you can support your pup’s dental health, too.
Dental Chew Toys
Dental chew toys have become an increasingly popular way to support dental health while playing. These are often made with materials that can help naturally scrape plaque off the teeth.
You can buy additives, treats, chews, food, and much more that can help support your dog’s dental health. It’s important to keep in mind that these are extra measures and aren’t ways to sustain your dog’s dental health alone.
Dental Wipes for Dogs
Some dogs may resist tooth brushing no matter how hard you try to introduce it. This is where dog tooth wipes come in handy.
Dog tooth wipes are designed with tiny grooves and texture to help remove plaque. Plus, you can bring these on the go
Gum Disease in Dogs
Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental health concerns among canines. More commonly known as gum disease, this condition is caused by plaque and tartar build-up on the teeth. Gum disease affects a large portion of the canine population, so learning the signs and how to prevent this disease is critical.
Luckily, preventing periodontal disease in dogs is easy. Simply follow basic guidelines for dental health, like the ones mentioned in this article, and brush your dog’s teeth often. By taking these preventative measures, you can help support dog dental health and wellness.
When To See a Doggy Dentist
While there are many ways to supplement your dog’s dental health from home, there are times when it’s essential to see a trusted doggy dentist.
If your dog has a broken tooth, signs of gum disease, signs of tooth pain, infected teeth, tumors in the mouth, bad breath, extra teeth, dropping food from the mouth, bleeding from the mouth, misalignment of the teeth, broken jaw, or cleft palate, be sure to contact a professional.
Smiling Faces and Wagging Tails
There are many ways you can take care of your pup’s teeth. From brushing regularly, visiting the vet for cleanings, avoiding sugary foods, feeding them whole ingredients, and learning to recognize signs of gum disease, there are many ways you can be an awesome dog parent.
Our food is rich in healthy ingredients like turmeric and beef bone that support dental health. Take a look at a customizable plan for your furry best friend here to learn more.
And, for more tips on how to be an even better dog parent, take a look at our blog for more articles regularly posted!
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