Did you know that 8 out of 10 dogs have some degree of dental and/or oral disease throughout their lives?
For every pet owner, it is very important to know that if we do not regularly take care of their dental care, it can cause many problems in the future. Although it begins with only a slight formation of bacterial plaque and tartar that cause bad breath, it can lead to infections, tooth loss and serious complications at the heart, kidney and liver level.
These types of problems can appear in all breeds and ages, but without a doubt, older dogs tend to generate them more often and special care must be taken with predisposed small breeds such as Poodles, Yorkshires, and Chihuahuas. The good news is that there are various products that facilitate dental care that adapt to our lifestyle and also to the characteristics of our furry ones.
With good care and early detection, periodontal disease can be prevented.
There are studies that show that taking care of your pet’s dental health can add 2 to 5 years to its life.
In this article we are going to review the dental care that our dog needs and we will review different product alternatives that will help us take care of their dental health.
How to keep my dog’s teeth healthy and clean
For dental cleaning, the most effective is always to complement a mechanical action (brushing, dental sticks, specialized toys) with a chemical action (paste, spray, mouthwash), the first action being the most relevant.
The frequency and type of method you use will depend on your furry’s tendency to generate tartar, their habits, and your own lifestyle. For some cases, only daily snacks or dental sticks is enough, but for others daily brushing with toothpaste and a food that prevents the appearance of tartar is necessary.
A good alternative would be cleaning with a brush and toothpaste for dogs 2 to 3 times a week and the rest of the days complement it with a dental stick or, if the weather is not your side, you can give it 1 stick after dinner and once a week brush their teeth. Now, we know that there are furry ones that are more complicated than others; If yours is one of those who don’t like to have their mouth touched, don’t worry, there are also products such as mouthwashes or powders that are added to food that are excellent alternatives for these cases. The important thing is to check your furry’s mouth to determine whether or not this action is being enough and, if you have any doubts, you should always consult your veterinarian.
DENTAL SNACKS FOR DOGS
Beaphar Dental Sticks: They perform a mechanical cleaning thanks to their star shape, but also contain a large amount of Spirulina algae that promotes the natural process of cleaning teeth, during chewing and after ingestion. In addition, it has decaffeinated green tea extract that keeps breath fresh, neutralizing bad odors in the mouth.
PLAQUEOFF® CROQ’BITES for dogs by Proden Plaqueoff: 100% natural snacks that contain the Ascophyllum nodosum algae, which reduces the accumulation of plaque, the formation of tartar and improves bad breath and, in addition, has a unique patented formula with action enzyme that removes plaque and tartar (PlaqueOff powder).
BRUSHES AND TOOTHPASTE FOR DOGS
It is very important that the toothpaste is exclusively for pet use since human toothpaste contains fluoride, a mineral that is toxic to them. In addition, they have other characteristics such as the fact that they do not generate foam (no need to rinse) and an attractive flavor to make the experience of our furry dogs more pleasant. Most of the pastes contain enzymes that fight the formation of tartar, bacterial plaque and halitosis, and others also include baking soda to achieve a deeper clean.
In the case of brushes, those that are specific for dogs are usually softer than ours, thus avoiding damaging their gums. In addition, they have different shapes and sizes to facilitate the comfort of their use.
DENTAL SPRAY FOR DOGS
They are a very good alternative in case it is very difficult to brush your teeth and for cases where you do not have much time. It is easy to use, you just have to press the spray directly on the tongue and both teeth of your furry.
Oxyfresh® dental spray: Eliminates bad breath instantly, reduces plaque and bacteria and prevents the appearance of tartar. It is safe (it is not toxic) and 100% alcohol free.
Beaphar Breath Spray: Formula with advanced enzymatic action and ingredients that include calcium, which controls plaque and prevents the formation of tartar. In addition, it prevents food from sticking to the teeth by producing a protective barrier against the bacteria that cause bad breath.
MOUTH RINSES FOR DOGS
In very extreme cases where the use of spray or gel is not even allowed, this is an excellent option because you will not stress him by opening his mouth; You just have to add the product directly into the drinker. For the most part, it contains enzymes and other compounds that kill bacteria that cause tartar and bad breath. In these cases, it is ideal to combine them with dental sticks so that they have a mechanical action as well.
FOOD FOR DOGS WITH ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Some brands include active ingredients such as sodium hexametaphosphate antitartar factor, sodium acid pyrophosphate, or algae and fibers that protect oral health in small breed food formulations.
BIOFRESH:
This brand does not exclude the size of dog; all its formulations sodium hexametaphosphate, which traps calcium limiting the production of tartar and bad breath.
PRESTIGE MINI line:
The incorporation of algae and fibers, together with the adapted shape of the croquettes, allows limiting the fixation of tartar.
PURE LIFE MINI ADULT:
With croquettes of adapted size and integration of algae and fibers that reduce the accumulation of tartar.
BRIT CARE MINI line:
It incorporates in its formula sodium hexametaphosphate.
TOY & MINI YOUNG ADULT by NUTRIQUE:
Includes mint that reduces bad breath and sodium hexametaphosphate that contributes to tartar reduction.
BALANCED ADULT SMALL BREED DOG from VITALCAN
Prevents the formation of dental tartar and bad breath thanks to the texture of the croquettes together with sodium acid pyrophosphate.
SPECIALIZED DENTAL TOYS
There are toys specially designed for oral and dental care. These have shapes and/or edges of different textures and materials that help remove dirt from the teeth, prevent the accumulation of tartar and/or massage the gums while our furry dog has fun biting them.
ALTERNATIVE DENTAL PRODUCTS
PLAQUEOFF® POWDER FOR DOGS:
It’s very convenient because you just have to add a little to their food and nothing else (they don’t smell or taste). It contains algae that reduce the accumulation of plaque, the formation of tartar and improve bad breath and, additionally, it is rich in natural iodine and contains important vitamins and minerals. The improvement is observed from 3 to 5 weeks of use.
BEAPHAR TOOTH GEL
If you manage to get your dog to open his mouth, but not to brush him, this is the right product. It offers daily cleaning and protection for the teeth of dogs and cats without the need for brushing, since it contains enzymes that fight bacteria and break down plaque and ingredients that surround calcium, preventing the formation of tartar. It has an excellent meaty flavor to gain pet acceptability.