Dog Service Network, LLC » Dental

Who Else Wants Their Dog To Have Clean, Healthy Teeth? How To Keep Your Dog’s Mouth Sparkling Clean

Dog Service Network — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 03:36:54 +0000

In this article, “Who Else Wants Their Dog To Have Clean, Healthy Teeth? How To Keep Your Dog’s Mouth Sparkling Clean”, you will be shown how to check to see how healthy your dog’s teeth and gums are and how you can keep each tooth perfect throughout your dog’s long life.

Dogs are also susceptible to tooth and gum disease, just like their human owners. They get cavities, buildups of plaque or tartar, chipped or broken teeth, and gum disease. A regular dental routine, just as a regular grooming routine should be introduced at an early age to help prevent problems in the adult years. In addition to the annual check by your veterinarian a dog’s owner should check and clean their dog’s teeth regularly. Start by gently pulling back the dog’s lips and check the gums and teeth. Healthy gums are firm and pink. Pale gums may indicate problems, relating to tooth or health problems and should be checked. If the gums have sores or swellings, this also should be checked by your veterinarian. The teeth should be free from stains and buildup of plaque or tartar. Check for broken or chipped teeth and sores on the tongue. If you notice any of these problems your dog should be seen by your veterinarian.

To start your teeth cleaning routine, you must first get your dog comfortable with having its mouth opened and its teeth and gums touched. Once you have accomplished this, then begin cleaning the teeth and gums using either a rough facecloth or gauze squares wrapped around your index finger. Rub downward from the gum to the tip of each tooth, just as you brush your own teeth.

As your routine develops, move up to coarser cloths and eventually to a child’s medium bristled toothbrush. Do not use human toothpaste, as this preparation can irritate the dog’s stomach. There is flavored toothpaste designed for pets that can be obtained from your veterinarian or from a pet food store. Another alternative is a half and half mixture of baking soda and water. This is just as yummy to dogs as it is to humans.

Any dental health problems should always be immediately checked by your veterinarian. Regular annual checks should never be neglected either.

Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson, www.k9klearup.com/. Terrie has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners.

Get the best of the canine world right to your inbox – Signup today for the K9Kourier weekly newsletter at www.k9klearup.com/k9klearup/ and receive a FREE 41 minute MP3 download on “Natural Ways To Care For Your Canine”.

Who Else Wants Their Dog To Have Clean, Healthy Teeth?

Dog Service Network — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 21:47:24 +0000

Any dental health problems should always be immediately checked by your veterinarian. Regular annual checks should never be neglected either.

Terrie Simpson has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners. Terrie is a contributing writer for the K9 Kourier – a weekly dog health care ezine. To signup for the K9 Kourier and receive a free $47 gift visit http://www.k9kourier.com.

Your Dog’s Health; Why Dog Breath is No Laughing Matter

Dog Service Network — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:41:12 +0000

By Carolyn Schweitzer

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her how important by keeping her well fed and groomed, making sure she gets plenty of exercise and providing a collection of fun, safe toys for her entertainment. You don’t skimp on the quality of his food. And to reward good boys and girls, there are always lots of delicious treats in the cupboard.But if he has bad breath, you could be overlooking a serious problem with your dogs health.”Dog Breath” is such a common condition that we make jokes about it. Sometimes we even tease our human “friends” using “dog breath” in play-ground style name-calling ( although hopefully this is limited to teenage boys.) And I know many pet owners who comment that they love their dog or cat like a child, but just can’t stand the smell of the animal’s breath! Well, guess what? “Dog Breath” isn’t normal.It’s estimated that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over the age of three suffer from the periodontal disease — a serious deterioration of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it’s periodontal disease that’s responsible for “dog breath”. But the problem doesn’t confine itself to your furry baby’s mouth. It’s an infection, and the tiny creatures responsible for it can break loose and enter the bloodstream. Once they do, they can infect vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, endangering your dogs health by causing a far more serious illness.The best way to insure your dogs health, especially where periodontal disease is concerned, is with prevention. It can make all the difference.Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, which is virtually harmless and completely treatable. If allowed to move to the next stage–Periodontitis– it can be stopped, but not cured. And the worse it gets, the faster it progresses. This applies to all animals, two legged and four legged alike. Think of a car parked at the top of a hill. The emergency break is released, and the car begins to roll downhill. Now, if you hit the breaks right away, no harm done. But the farther the car rolls the faster it goes, and the more momentum it builds. It gets harder and harder to stop it. By the time it’s halfway down the hill, you could be headed for disaster!You can maintain your dogs health nicely with proper home care. But, like the rolling car, if disease is already present, stopping and controlling it is a bigger job.Prevention involves, above all, regular veterinary checkups and professional cleanings beginning early in your dog or cat’s life. I’ll show you how you can help maintain oral health at home, but it’s impossible to do a thorough cleaning on an animal who’s awake. Trust me on this. It’s hard enough to do a thorough job with a cooperative human patient. When we’re talking about animals who don’t understand what we’re doing or why, forget about it.Most veterinarians recommend annual cleanings, but more frequent or involved treatment may be needed depending on your animal’s condition. Please, no matter what you’re doing at home, follow the vet’s recommendations. As for your part, introduce your dog or cat to the idea of having his teeth brushed as early as possible. I know, it’s not easy, and it takes time and daily conditioning to get your little guy or gal used to it. But your dogs health is worth it!So how do you prevent the most common of threats to your dogs health? Brush her teeth, of course! Every day. Just like you would your own (twice a day for you, and floss too!!). This isn’t easy, but it can become an expected part of your dog’s routine if you do it right. Here are some suggestions:

Start when your dog is a puppy. The earlier the better.

At first, you just want her to get used to you handling her head and looking inside her mouth. Practice lifting up her lips and looking at her teeth and gums–front, back and both sides of her mouth.

Now begin gently touching the gum tissue with your finger and rub along her gums and teeth as if your finger were a toothbrush. Let her get used to the sensation. This is exactly the way you would introduce a human baby to brushing, beginning with just her gums. Even before there are teeth, there are harmful bacteria. So don’t worry about a tiny puppy who doesn’t have a full set of teeth yet–rub her gums, swab out her little mouth with your finger, and get her used the this kind of contact from her owner.

Your next step is to wrap gauze or a soft washcloth around your finger and rub the gums on both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth.

Finally, introduce a tooth brush in one small area. As your dog gets used to the brush, you will be able to use it in place of the gauze or washcloth. Remember to brush the inside surfaces!

A little brushing a day, beginning with the first step and working your way up gradually, will eventually lead to a one to two minute session. Your dog will learn that it doesn’t hurt and that she gets a couple of minutes of your undivided attention every day. It generally takes 8 to 16 weeks to get there, but in the end your dog will accept brushing as part of her daily routine.If a little brushing is done every day at a set time, eventually your pet gets used to it, and some will even look forward to it. It will take most pet owners from 8-16 weeks until the pet accepts it readily. Now the pet realizes it doesn’t hurt and that it will get 1-2 minutes of your undivided attention. Your pet enjoys your attention, and will eventually wait patiently for you to brush his teeth.There’s a toothbrush with three heads that will allow you to brush all three surface of the tooth at one time, which makes life a lot easier for both of you! It also has nice, soft bristles so you won’t harm your pet’s delicate gum tissue.There are also products that can be rubbed on the gums and added to the drinking water to help reduce bacteria in an animal’s mouth and promote the dogs health and healing. Bad breath is actually a by-product of the bacteria that populate the mouth. They break down proteins and carbohydrates from your dog or cat’s diet, and produce something called “volatile sulfur compounds”, or VSC’s. It’s the sulfur that make the breath smell extra special!

Certain dental products have an agent that neutralizes the VSC’s. Many owners have commented that their cat or dog seems to like the drinking water better when these products are added–even though they have no flavor! And there’s a gel available that, although formulated for the gums, can be very soothing for skin conditions, cuts, and surgical wounds thanks to the Aloe Vera it contains.The best oral care products work without the use of fragrances and flavors, which entice human consumers, but don’t benefit your cat or dogs health in any way!I was a practicing dentist for over 20 years, and I saw a lot of human patients who had terrible breath (and periodontal disease) and weren’t even aware of it. People don’t like to tell each other about bad breath. Even the dentist has to be delicate with this piece of bad news.At least when dealing with a pet, you don’t have to worry about social embarrassment in order to address your dogs health problem! Don’t be shy, get in there and do something about it. Not only can your dog get rid of her breath odor, but she could even live 2 to 5 years longer as a result. And you’ll be able to get close again, without holding your breath.

© Copyright 2004 Carolyn Schweitzer DDS. Dr. Schweitzer was a family dentist for 20 years and is now owner and editor of several websites. You can learn more about specific dental care products by visiting her website at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/dogs_health.html#LocationOXY

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Why Does My Dog Have Bad Breath?

Dog Service Network — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:35:50 +0000

By Sherry Massey

“Doggy breath” – that unpleasant odor emanating from the mouths of Rover and Boomer – can be a signal of serious health problems.

A dog’s mouth is his primary means of contact with the world around him. He uses his mouth to eat, to investigate and to communicate. The jaws are a powerful tool used to grind, gnaw, crush and carry. Keeping this part of your pet’s body healthy is vital to his quality of life and longevity.

Fifty to eighty percent of all dogs suffer from periodontal disease. Tartar buildup is the primary cause. Just as in humans, small particles of food remain on the teeth after eating. If not removed, these particles decompose, causing the growth of bacteria that then forms plaque and tartar. As tartar grows, it literally pushes the gums away from the teeth which then loosen over time. Loose teeth reveal root sockets which can easily become infected. In untreated cases, the infection can travel from the root socket to the dog’s bloodstream where the bacteria takes up residence in the kidney, liver and heart causing disease of these organs.

How do I recognize periodontal disease in my dog?

There are specific signs and symptoms that indicate mouth problems including a change in eating habits. While not all dogs suffering from periodontal disease change feeding habits, changes can be an indication of trouble. Pawing at the mouth, abnormal drooling, mouth tenderness, facial inflammation, obvious oral bleeding, sneezing, nasal discharge and swelling around the eyes are also indicators of mouth problems. The most obvious and usually the first sign of a problem, though, is that tale tell bad breath.

What can I do to prevent and/or treat my pet’s periodontal disease?

The experts agree that a diet consisting of primarily soft canned food is not a good idea. “The buildup of plaque in pets’ soft canned diets is very rapid,” says R. Hines, DVM. Opinions differ on the tartar-removing properties of hard foods, but experts DO agree that crunchy, dry food does not adhere to the teeth as much and therefore tartar and plaque do not build up as quickly.

Besides diet, yearly dental checkups are advised. Even if you don’t give annual vaccinations, regular oral exams by a professional can make a huge difference in your pet’s health. Herbal supplements such as Echinacea and other herbal medicines can be used internally to improve immune system health. Herbs can also be used as a tea or mouthwash. (Our next newsletter will address the issue of herbs and our pets.)

If you do suspect periodontal disease already at work, do not hesitate to visit your veterinarian for a professional cleaning and possible antibiotic treatment if he detects an infection.

The most important thing you can do to protect your pet’s dental health is to brush his teeth! Use a child’s toothbrush and a toothpaste developed for pets. Your vet can advise on the best methods of training your dog to let you brush his teeth.

Good dental health and preventative care can add years to your dog’s life and save him undue suffering from kidney, liver and heart disease. Its never too late to get started!

Looking for an all-natural dry food to benefit your pet’s dental health? Take a look at Flint River Ranch, available from Barker and Friends at www.naturalbarker.com. Flint River Ranch’s all natural ingredients promote good overall health with easily digestible kibble free of chemical preservatives and additives. Combining a healthy dry food, all natural treats from Barker and Friends at www.naturalbarker.com and regular dental exams can help your furry friend live a long and happy life.

An encouraging word:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Sherry Massey is the owner of a home-based natural dog treat bakery, Barker and Friends. Our goal is to not only provide you with the best all-natural treat and pet food on the market, but to share valuable information that will allow our furry loved ones to live longer, healthier and happier lives. Check our website at http://www.naturalbarker.com or contact us at barkerandfriends@cox.net.

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Why It’s Important For Your Dog To Have Good Oral Hygiene

Dog Service Network — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:36:46 +0000

Just like people, dogs are prone to developing dental /gum disease. This is why it’s important for you to brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis. It’s recommended that you brush your dog’s teeth at least once a day, because if the plaque is not removed, it will turn into tartar.

Brushing your dog’s teeth is really not as difficult as it may seem. Begin by buying your dog a soft bristle toothbrush, it could even be one designed for a human to use, and a tube of dog toothpaste (Note: the toothpaste used must be designed for dogs specifically – any other kind can cause them to vomit). Then follow this technique:

Wet the toothbrush and add a small amount of toothpaste.
Brush the outer surfaces of the upper canine teeth (fangs) in a circular motion around the gumlines.
Next, in a circular motion also, do the upper and fourth premolars (these are the teeth all the way in the back of your dog’s mouth.
- There is no need to pull your dog’s lips all the way back for you to reach their teeth. Instead, picture a line that runs from your dog’s eye down to his/her mouth. Where the line meets the mouth, this is where their premolar is
- Lift your dog’s lip up a little to get a sense of where their biggest triangular tooth is and then release the lip.
- Where you saw the premolar, gently slide the brush along the inside of the mouth until the head of the brush is aligned with your dog’s eye and again, brush in a circular motion along the gum line for about 5 seconds.

- Repeat this process for the upper fourth molars on the other side of your dog’s mouth.

When you first start brushing your dog’s teeth, don’t be alarmed if you see blood on the toothbrush. If this is the case, try brushing with less pressure, but don’t stop brushing your dog’s teeth – your efforts will eventually lead to your dog having healthier gums.

Though brushing your dog’s teeth is important, there are times you should not try this such as:

If your dog is likely to bite you
Or if your dog has a lot of tartar. In this case, a simple brushing will not help to remove the tartar, and it can be uncomfortable if your dog’s gums are irritated.

If your dog’s teeth look off, meet with your vet to schedule a teeth cleaning, before trying to do this at home yourself.

Source: “The Doctor’s In”, Modern Dog

Dog Service Network, LLC » Dental

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