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Dental Care
Dental care is another important aspect of grooming your dog.
Plaque and calculus buildup begins to form on a dog’s teeth
after it is one year of age, particularly if soft pet foods are
fed. Food bacteria and saliva accumulate and adhere to the tooth
surface, forming a soft plaque. If plaque buildup continues,
chalk-like materials form a hardened dental calculus on the
tooth surface. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup
can eventually cause inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and
of the membrane lining of the tooth socket (periodontitis).
Some dogs will allow regular brushing of their teeth. Use a
mixture of baking soda with a little water added to form a paste
or a toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs. Apply with a
soft toothbrush or a piece of gauze wrapped around the finger.
Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans because dogs
swallow, rather than spit out the preparation, causing stomach
upset.
Your dog should receive regular dental examinations by your
veterinarian. A good time for this is during the yearly physical
examination when vaccinations are given.
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