Dog Dental Care: What You Should Know About Cleanings

The health of your canine companion is important to you, this includes the dental health of your pet as it can affect their overall health. Today our Perry vets discuss dog dental care and how often you should bring your dog in for cleanings with their pet dentist.

Dog Dental Cleanings For Oral Health

Your dog's oral health, like yours, is an important component of their overall health. By the age of three years, most dogs begin to show signs of periodontal disease (gum disease). This early onset of dental disease can hurt their physical health and well-being.

Periodontal disease has been linked to systemic diseases such as heart disease in humans, and this appears to be true for our canine companions as well.

Periodontal disease in dogs has been linked to heart disease due to bacteria entering the bloodstream from the mouth, potentially causing problems with other organs and damaging heart function. These complications are in addition to the more obvious issue of pain caused by eroded gums and missing or damaged teeth.

At-home oral health care routines, combined with dental diets and treats, can go a long way toward assisting your pup in cleaning their teeth and controlling plaque and tartar buildup. However, the best way to keep your dog's mouth clean and healthy is to take him to the vet for an annual dental exam and cleaning.

When you prioritize your pet's annual wellness exam, we can be proactive about signs of periodontal diseases, such as gingivitis, bad breath, tooth decay, gum loss, and pain.

If you skip your dog's annual professional cleaning, he or she may develop gingivitis, periodontal disease, bad breath, and, in severe cases, pain, tooth decay, and tooth loss.

When Should Your Dog Visit a Pet Dentist For Cleaning?

The frequency with which you should have your dog's teeth cleaned is determined by several factors, including your dog's age, breed, and lifestyle as well as the recommendation made by their veterinary dentist.

Will Your Dog's Age Affect How Often They Need Dental Cleaning?

Older dogs require more dental care than younger dogs, simply because time, diet, and eating habits all contribute to oral decay. If your dog is over the age of seven, they should have regular visits with their veterinary dentist to ensure their teeth and gums continue to stay healthy.

Will Your Dog's Breed & Size Affect Their Dental Cleaning Schedule?

While all dogs require dental care and cleanings performed by veterinary dentists, small dogs may require earlier and more frequent professional dental care compared to larger breeds of dogs. This is because their teeth are large in comparison to their mouths, causing overcrowding. Smaller breeds (such as Yorkies) are notorious for retaining both their baby and adult teeth.

Pugs, Bulldogs, and Shih Tzus, for example, and others with short faces and noses are more prone to dental disease. Small dogs have very shallow tooth roots, so any type of periodontal disease can be more severe in them than in larger dogs. Another breed-related dental issue is malocclusion, which occurs when the jaws are misaligned and do not connect properly.

Larger dogs do not have the same dental concerns as small dogs, but they are more prone to damaged or cracked teeth as a result of strong chewing habits, which can cause oral pain, loss of appetite, and irritable behavior. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you when and how often your dog should undergo dental care if you schedule regular exams with them.

Will Your Dog's Lifestyle Make a Difference For How Often They Need Teeth Cleaning?

The frequency with which you should have your dog's teeth cleaned is also determined by your lifestyle and at-home dental health. If you brush your dog's teeth regularly and feed him dry food or a dental diet, these precautions may help in the time between professional cleanings with their pet dentist in Perry. In addition, if your dog is not a chewer and eats mostly soft food, they may require more frequent cleaning.

What Happens During Your Dog's Routine Cleaning & Dental Examination?

Our Perry dog dentists at Perry Animal Hospital recommend bringing your dog in for an annual wellness exam to help prevent periodontal disease. We will examine their mouth for early signs of disease during this visit. Periodontal disease symptoms include the following:

If you notice signs of periodontal disease in your pet, be sure to contact your vet right away to schedule a dental assessment for your pet. Oral health issues can become severe if left untreated and cause your pet a great deal of pain and discomfort.

Our veterinary dentists in Perry examine all pets to ensure that they are healthy enough to undergo anesthesia and, if necessary, perform additional diagnostics to ensure that cleaning is safe for your pet. We will perform a full oral exam (tooth-by-tooth) with charting (just like your dentist does during your examinations) and x-ray the teeth once your pet has been safely sedated. X-rays are necessary for the medical team to understand the extent of periodontal disease beneath the gum line, which typically reveals hidden diseases.

Once your dog's pet dentist gathers the information needed from the full oral exam, charting, and x-rays, we can create a customized treatment plan for your pet that includes cleaning and polishing your pup’s teeth, both above and below the gum line.

Ways You Can Help Clean Your Dog's Teeth

As a pet owner, you play a pivotal role in helping your pup fight dental disease. Here are a few easy ways that you can help to keep your dog's teeth clean and healthy:

• Use a finger brush from your vet or a child’s toothbrush along with specially designed pet toothpaste to brush your pet’s teeth daily to remove any plaque or debris.
• Use a plaque prevention product that their pet dentist recommends, which you can apply to your pet’s teeth and gums or add to their drinking water. These products act as a barrier to prevent plaque buildup.
• Offer your pup treats such as dental chews or special foods designed to help prevent plaque buildup and tartar.

Dental care is an important part of your pet's overall health. Be sure to book your pet's annual dental exam with their dog dentist in Perry today, your dog will thank you. 

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.