Dental hygiene for dogs: tips for eliminating bad breath

Do you wake up or come home to curl up with your dog?

Occasionally…

You can't help but steal a hug with your dog. If you're like me, your dog might be lucky enough to lick your face.

You look back and bless the day you adopted your pet in times like this, right? Except for the past two days, the foul smell that permeates your nostrils dares to spoil this warm experience.

Don't worry, many parents have already been there. But the truth is that looking after a dog with bad breath can be a difficult task.

And many dog ​​owners only take their dogs' oral hygiene seriously when it becomes obvious. But that's a good thing since you're about to give your pet fresh mint breath.

Causes of bad breath.

The American Veterinary Dental College has found that around 80% of dogs show signs of periodontitis in dogs by the age of three. Because bad breath can be an early precursor to oral disease, dog parents need to get to know it early to remedy the situation.

Some causes of bad breath in dogs:

1. Plaque: Many bacteria live in the mouth. However, the bacteria that you don't want to accumulate are the "plaque". Dental plaque promotes the growth of other harmful bacteria that have unpleasant odors and cause bad breath in your dog's mouth.

If plaque continues to accumulate, it leads to other oral diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis. If left untreated, this can endanger your pet's health.

2. Eating habits: The expression "you are what you eat" also applies to your dogs. Like humans, what dogs eat can affect their teeth. Some dogs can be gross and eat directly from the trash, which leads to bad breath. It is important to watch what your dog eats and to avoid food that could damage its teeth.
3. Diseases: Some diseases are related to bad breath. For this reason, it is important to regularly check your dog's breathing. Diseases such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, etc. are known to cause bad breath in dogs.

Signs of a dental problem

There are signs to look out for if your dog has a dental problem. If you notice anything, you should make an appointment with the veterinarian as soon as possible. These characters include:

• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Swollen gums
• Gum tumors.
• A broken or loose tooth
• Cysts under the tongue
• Discolored teeth (tartar)
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Reduced appetite

How to eliminate / prevent bad breath

After identifying some of the causes of bad breath in dogs, let's talk about solutions. What is the use of identifying a problem without proposing solutions?

The cause of bad breath generally determines healing. However, here are many tips that would work in most cases. You will be amazed at how easily you can avoid bad breath before it happens.

Important tips for eliminating bad breath:

1. Brushing: something that appears to be so simple but very underestimated. This may sound silly to some dog parents, but brushing your dog's teeth regularly is a great way to prevent plaque buildup and promote healthy teeth. At first most dogs won't like that, but eventually they will practice.

Buy a suitable dog toothpaste and brush. You can always consult your veterinarian to find out what you and your dog prefer.

2. Healthy eating: People need a balanced diet and regular exercise for a healthy life, just like dogs! Feeding your dog a balanced, high quality diet along with high quality exercises can help to avoid bad breath.

A healthy diet can help prevent diseases like diabetes. Dry food is generally better than soft food. If possible, avoid sugary human foods. A healthy diet not only has a positive effect on your dog's teeth, but also on your dog's general well-being.

3. Chewing Dogs: Chewing is good for a dog's dental health. Chewing dogs can serve as an alternative for dogs who do not like to brush their teeth. If your dog gnaws while chewing, it will scratch the plaque off your teeth. Some even contain enzymes that promote dental health.

There are many dog ​​chewing items and they have teeth cleaning properties. Dentastix or Greenies are great options for dogs to chew on.

4. Routine checkups: Dogs need routine visits to the vet, just like you should go to the dentist twice a year to do routine checkups and cleanups. Make sure you add it to your schedule.

Although more expensive than the other tips mentioned, professional cleaning is the best way to maintain your dog's oral hygiene. This is the only way to remove tartar from your dog's mouth. The veterinary dentist has experience in locating, preventing, and treating oral problems that you may have overlooked.

Talk to the vet about regular cleaning routines to not only avoid bad breath, but also to ensure that your dog's oral health is excellent.

How to brush your dog's teeth

When brushing your dog's teeth, it's usually best to start early. However, if you haven't done it yet, it's better late than never, you can start today.

Your dog will not make it easy for you at first, so follow a strategy and make the experience comfortable for both of you.

Start with a soft finger brush on your dog's teeth. When they become more comfortable, you can move the brush over your teeth and gums in a circular motion. Finally, you can use a dog's toothpaste and toothbrush as they get used to the routine. Avoid human toothpastes as they can be toxic to your dog.

First of all, you can brush your dog's teeth once a week. Once you get used to the process, this can become a daily routine.

Wrap

Bad breath is a big problem and you don't want your dog's breath to choke you. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath in animals. Maintaining a simple dental routine helps prevent this.

Following these simple guidelines would dramatically improve your dog's dental hygiene. Good luck on your trip.

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