When should you give your dog a dental treatment?

Most dogs and cats should have their first dental cleaning at 2 or 3 years of age. Small breed dogs should definitely receive care no later than two years of age. You don't want to wait much longer, as signs of periodontal disease are commonly seen at these ages. If your pet has the following signs, you should consider cleaning their teeth right away.

Discolored or broken teeth, excessive bad breath, reduced appetite, and bloody drool indicate that your dog needs immediate dental health. Don't hesitate to contact a veterinarian about your dog's teeth, even if you're not sure something is wrong. Unlike smaller breeds, larger breed dogs start cleaning much later because they tend to have fewer dental problems. But regardless of the type, you should take your dog for a dental exam every year.

This way, your veterinarian can inform you when professional dental cleaning is needed for your dog. You may have found that cleaning your dog's teeth can be too expensive, and instead, you've decided to use an option at home, such as toothbrushes and dental treats for dogs. An important difference between your dog's dental cleanings and your own is that your dog is given general anesthesia. The then 9-year-old arrived with a giant bag of refreshments, dental chews for dogs and a toy toothbrush for dogs and for good reason.

In addition, anesthesia allows for better cleaning because your pet does not move and is at risk of injury with dental equipment. Check with your veterinarian for the latest update on your dog's dental condition and to find out when you should clean your puppy's teeth. Another race-related dental problem is something called malocclusion, in which the jaws are misaligned and don't connect properly. Treatment of periodontal disease involves thorough dental cleaning and x-rays may be needed to determine the severity of the disease.

Manufacturers submit clinical research on their products, and the VOHC verifies the research and issues a special seal, similar to the seal of the American Dental Association, says Kan-Rohrer. Taking care of your dog's dental health is as important as any other aspect of your dog's well-being, and many veterinarians recommend scheduling annual physical examinations. Dental diseases can wreak havoc on your dog's body in the form of abscesses of the roots of the teeth, oral pain, or even blood infections that can spread to other parts of the body, such as the heart or liver. Tooth rinses and water additives, such as Oxyfresh Dog & Cat Hygiene Solution and TropicLean Fresh Breath Water Additive, are designed to complement traditional toothbrushing, says Dr.

A dental cleaning visit will include a thorough dental exam, teeth cleaning and polishing to remove the tartar and plaque causing periodontal disease. Dental wipes, as well as a piece of gauze or a terry sample, are also good tools for training, says Dr. Because most dental procedures are performed under general anesthesia, your veterinarian will make sure to perform a thorough physical exam beforehand. For those who can't brush their teeth or just want to change their cleaning techniques, dental wipes for dogs are a great solution.

Others, such as the one in the Vetoquinol Vet Solutions Enzadent Poultry Flavored Enzadent Enzymatic Toothbrush Kit, come with individual heads, which are generally more easily accepted by dogs.

Cornelius Konczak
Cornelius Konczak

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