How do I care for and brush my dog’s teeth?
“Kaivana Veterinary Clinic already has a Youtube account, where it will regularly post informative and educational videos about daily animal care to its friends. By taking care of your pet at home and treating it properly, many health problems can be prevented or reduced.
Milk teeth
In both small and large breeds, the milk teeth begin to replace the permanent teeth at 3-4 months of age. During this period, gingivitis and bad breath may start to develop. The molars are the first to fall out and the canines the last. The teeth change completely when the pet is 6-7 months old. Large dogs do not have any problems and their owners usually do not even notice these changes. Small breeds, on the other hand, have long canine teeth with long roots that often become too weak and slow down the process of tooth loss. Therefore, owners should check themselves at the age of 6-7 months whether all the teeth have fallen out and whether any of them are loose. If you notice any milk teeth that have not fallen out, be sure to see your vet immediately. To encourage and facilitate tooth loss, we recommend that at this age, owners move the toy the dog is playing with more vigorously or gently move the teeth with a finger while playing with the animal or watching TV. At 8 months of age, the animal’s bite is beginning to form, so it is important to make sure that all the puppy’s milk teeth have fallen out by this time.
How can I assess the condition of my dog’s teeth?
Gently lifting the animal’s lip, the inspection should start with the back teeth and not the front teeth, as this is where plaque starts to form and then travels towards the front teeth. When plaque builds up on the front teeth, it means that the dog’s dental situation is very bad and has not been cared for for a long time. If the pet has increased salivation, bad breath or does not allow you to check its mouth, you should contact your vet, as these signs may indicate the onset of gingivitis or the negative effects of tartar build-up.
How do tartar stones form?
Without any oral hygiene measures, the dog’s teeth gradually become covered with a thin layer of plaque, which is soft to begin with. Over time, this build-up starts to age and harden, and new layers of plaque start to form on top. Eventually, the dirt hardens and turns into tartar. As a result, bacteria accumulate in the dog’s mouth, the cavity becomes acidic and gingivitis – periodontitis – sets in.
How do I care for and clean my dog’s teeth?
Small breeds are characterised by their tendency not to chew on bones, dry food and other objects in the house, which allows them to keep their teeth healthy and strong for longer. It is therefore up to their owners to take care of their pets’ oral hygiene.
The easiest and cheapest way. A piece of binto or gauze should be torn off and wrapped around the finger. Apply Canina Dental Can, a plaque-reducing solution available at Kaivana veterinary pharmacies, and rub the bint on the dog’s teeth after carefully opening the animal’s mouth. This solution, like most oral hygiene products, is unpalatable to the animal, but it is good in that it does not irritate the digestive tract. The procedure should be repeated twice a week. This method is good in that the dog does not suffer discomfort from various plastic instruments such as toothbrushes being inserted into the mouth. Owners who have tried this method are happy that they no longer have to take their dog to the vet for dental problems for several years. However, be aware that once tartar has appeared, no solution will help and it will be too late to use it.
Specialised toothbrushes and toothpaste. These are suitable for very obedient dogs who are not afraid of surprises and will allow themselves to be handled in ways that are often unpleasant for the animal. The brushes come in two types: similar to those used by humans, and they are placed on the finger to help control the animal when brushing the puppy’s teeth.
How do I remove tartar?
If your puppy has tartar build-up, you will need to visit your vet. At the veterinary clinic, oral hygiene is performed with an ultrasonic scaler. The animal is under light anaesthesia and remains conscious, but is less afraid and feels better during the procedure.