{"id":3612,"date":"2020-02-27T17:00:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T17:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/petdedicated.com\/?p=3612"},"modified":"2020-02-27T17:00:08","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T17:00:08","slug":"why-do-dogs-need-their-teeth-brushed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/petdedicated.com\/?p=3612","title":{"rendered":"Why Do Dogs Need Their Teeth Brushed?"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

The post Why Do Dogs Need Their Teeth Brushed?<\/a> by Martha M. Everett<\/a> appeared first on Dogster<\/a>. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.<\/p>\n

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Why do dogs need their teeth brushed? Two words: doggie breath. But that\u2019s just one reason \u2014 and a mild one. Poor oral health can take a bite out of your dog\u2019s well-being, causing tooth loss, mouth sores, pain that limits ability to eat and infections that can lead to heart, liver and kidney disease.<\/p>\n

Sometimes there are no signs of dental trouble until it takes root. And it doesn\u2019t take long. Dental disease can start in dogs as young as 2, and some statistics show it affects as many as 80% of dogs older than 3.<\/p>\n

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Signs of Dental Disease: Bad breath; broken or discolored teeth; tooth loss; ted or swollen gums; avoiding chewing or eating; weight loss<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

When plaque attack<\/h3>\n

Unfortunately, plaque buildup happens quickly. Periodontal disease (gum disease) starts with the filmy, bacteria-filled substance that sticks to the surface of teeth within hours of eating. In only a few days, that plaque can harden into tartar (calculus) above and below the gumline, causing damage to the bone and soft tissue around teeth.<\/p>\n

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Toy and small dogs, Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs, senior dogs and dogs with compromised
immune systems are prone to dental disease. Photo: ThamKC | Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Fortunately, it also doesn\u2019t take long to brush a dog\u2019s teeth: one minute a day. Yet fewer than 10% of people brush their canine\u2019s canines regularly. Busting some myths helps explain why you should:<\/p>\n

A dog\u2019s mouth is cleaner than a human\u2019s mouth, right? Wrong. This myth might have originated from the fact that zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from dogs to humans) are relatively rare compared to the myriad illnesses humans contract from each other through saliva. But that rarity is due, in part, to dogs and humans having only about 5% of the same mouth bacteria. And let\u2019s admit that dogs eat and lick all kinds of gross things.<\/p>\n

Wolves don\u2019t brush their teeth, so dogs don\u2019t need their teeth brushed either, right? Wrong again. The dog\u2019s wild canid cousins eat a different diet from domesticated dogs, including hard things like raw bones and tree bark that help scrape teeth clean. In addition, many of the processed foods and treats pet dogs eat contain carbohydrates (sugar) \u2014 sometimes as much as 70%. And bacteria feed on sugar. What\u2019s more, wolves live an average of 6 to 8 years compared to 10 to 13 years for dogs, so a wolf\u2019s teeth experience less wear and tear and don\u2019t have to last as long.<\/p>\n

A dog\u2019s instinct to lick his wounds proves that dog saliva is healthy, doesn\u2019t it? Not quite. While a dog\u2019s saliva contains some anti-bacterial enzymes, much of the healing that results from licking is because it cleans the wound and stimulates new cell growth.<\/p>\n

Dog saliva contains fewer bacteria than human saliva, correct? Nope. Dog and human mouths house about the same number of different types of bacteria (around 600). While dog saliva is more alkaline than human saliva, any dark, moist, warm environment like the mouth is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria.<\/p>\n

Brush up on brushing<\/h3>\n

Not sure how to brush your dog\u2019s teeth? Here are some tips to get you started. Try to start young (dogs generally have their adult teeth by 30 weeks), and acclimate your dog to brushing in stages and brief sessions:<\/p>\n

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  1. Start by touching the teeth and gums with your fingers.<\/li>\n
  2. Next, touch the brush to his teeth.<\/li>\n
  3. Let your dog taste a bit of the toothpaste.<\/li>\n
  4. Brush in circles slowly and gently along the gumline and teeth.<\/li>\n
  5. Focus on outer surfaces but, if possible, brush all teeth surfaces.<\/li>\n
  6. Brush for 30 seconds on each side.<\/li>\n
  7. Praise your dog throughout, and offer a reward when done.<\/li>\n
  8. Rinse brushes well, replace every few months and do not share among dogs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Tools with teeth<\/h3>\n

    Toothbrushes should have soft bristles, and the head should be an appropriate size for your dog\u2019s mouth. Dog toothbrushes include ones with angled heads, long handles and multiple heads of differing sizes. Finger brushes fit on the end of your finger, and three-sided brushes clean all tooth surfaces at once. You also can use a child\u2019s toothbrush or a strip of gauze around your finger. Brush bottom and top teeth, starting in the front and moving to the back.<\/p>\n

    Unlike you, your dog will swallow the toothpaste, so always use toothpaste formulated for dogs. Canine toothpaste comes in flavors that appeal to dogs, like bacon, beef, chicken, peanut butter and salmon. Never use baking soda (it can cause digestive upset) or human toothpaste (some are high in sodium and some contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs). Ask your veterinarian, and look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal on products.<\/p>\n

    Brush off<\/h3>\n

    In addition to brushing, these products can help reduce plaque and tartar:<\/p>\n