Is dog teeth cleaning really necessary?
Zoe Green
2025-08-04 18:31:18
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Keeping your dog's teeth clean is important, as ignoring it can lead to plaque build-up and dental problems. Dental disease is very common in dogs, second only to ear infections, and can be extremely uncomfortable - much as it would be for us. Feed them the right food - some owners favour wet foods for their dog over dry. However, dry dog food may have the added benefit of exercising their chewing muscles and provide a mild cleaning effect on the teeth. Brush your dog's teeth regularly. Dental chews and treats are also a good way of helping to keep your dog's teeth clean.
Flat-faced dogs, like Pugs and Chihuahuas, have poorly aligned jaws, with crowded or absent teeth, and are therefore more likely to suffer from dental disease. Start teeth cleaning when they're a puppy and brush their teeth everyday to get them used to it. Deposits may build up on the teeth, Gums will be damaged and bleed, Smell - if the mouth is infected it will give off a foul smell. Your dog may also refuse food, have difficulty eating or leave flecks of blood in their bowls.
Lloyd Abshire
2025-08-04 12:31:40
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I know exactly how dental disease affects pets. I know that the dental tartar you see slowly building up on your pet’s teeth is about 80 percent bacteria and that it damages the gums, the bone beneath and the ligaments that hold teeth in place. This bacteria can gain access to the blood stream and infect vital organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys. I also know that advanced dental disease hurts; it makes pets feel sick. Daily brushing is the best deterrent. The idea of bacteria from my best friend’s mouth staging a flash mob in one of his vital organs is unacceptable to me. So I scale and polish his teeth whenever dental tartar accumulates. For my dog, that means an annual cleaning at the veterinary clinic. Even with regular brushing, our pets may need periodic professional dental cleanings. The downside: Because the procedure involves full anesthesia to allow a thorough cleaning, the price is much more than a few tubes of toothpaste. Still, if we don’t want our pets to suffer from the effects of dental disease, we have little choice other than to make room for these expenses in the budget.