Three Ways To Help Keep Your Pup's Teeth Clean
Posted on: 4 August 2018
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Most pet parents know that the only way to keep your dog's teeth completely clean is to brush them regularly and to get thorough dental exams from your vet. However, that doesn't mean that there aren't additional ways to improve your dog's oral health that go beyond brushing. If you're not implementing these dog teeth cleaning tips yet, now's a good time to start.
Chew Toys
The right kind of chew toys can be very helpful for dogs. Vets often recommend hard chewables like dog-safe bones, rawhide, and chews that are specifically labeled as being dental-friendly. These hard chewables can help to rid your dog's teeth of plaque before it can harden and become tartar, where the real danger begins. By getting rid of plaque, you may help to reduce your dog's risk of developing tooth decay or gum disease.
Treats
Doggy dental treats can also be very useful in keeping tartar to a minimum. Like chews, these treats are typically made of a hard, crunchy material that sloughs off plaque. However, many treats also go beyond simply scraping it away. Dog dental treats are often made of natural substances that help to kill off excess oral bacteria responsible for creating plaque and tartar. By reducing these bacteria, you can help to slow the development of dental problems. When paired with the rest of these tips and regular dental exams, you can vastly improve your dog's chances of keeping all its teeth and having a healthy mouth.
Toothpaste
Finally, even if you're already brushing your dog's teeth, the toothpaste you choose for him will play a big role in how healthy his mouth is.
Obviously, you need dog toothpaste, not the human kind. However, many dog toothpastes are simply intended to help remove plaque and to provide a sort of cushion between the brush and the teeth. Ideally, you should look for an enzymatic toothpaste. These toothpastes contain enzymes that break down unwanted substances in the mouth. In fact, they're so useful that just getting the toothpaste into your dog's mouth will help to improve their oral health, so if you can't brush their teeth on a daily basis, make sure you're at least giving them a little enzymatic toothpaste to keep their mouth healthy.
Maintaining your dog's oral hygiene will help to prolong the life of their teeth and ensure that they're a happy, healthy dog for years to come. If you're concerned about your dog's oral health, make sure to consult with a qualified veterinarian to ensure that you're doing everything you can to keep them healthy.