Brushing your dog's teeth? The idea seems strange to many pet owners, even if they regularly brush their own teeth. But they take it for granted that their pets can get by without a toothbrush and toothpaste. After all, wolves, the ancestors of our domestic dogs, don't brush their teeth in the wild either. On top of that, they think that dog food is contributing to the dog's dental care. However, these views are often a widespread misconception. Find out here why dental care is extremely important for dogs and how you can give your pet the best care.
The dog's teeth: tool, weapon and prone to dental disease
Catching, tearing and crushing: dogs use their teeth as both a tool and a weapon, and their impressive set of teeth is therefore vital to their survival. In adult animals, dogs have a total of 42 teeth, each of which has a different function: 20 in the upper jaw, 22 in the lower jaw. Dogs use their canine teeth to grab their prey and hold it tight when hunting. They use their fangs to tear individual parts off the prey. The animals use their incisors to scrape off the remains of meat from the bones, and their molars to crush their food.
Dogs are born toothless. When the puppies are about three weeks old, they get their first teeth. At about 13 weeks, the teeth change and the permanent teeth are formed. If the dog's dental care is neglected, this can soon have consequences: by the age of three, over 80 percent of all dogs suffer from dental problems, as studies by veterinarians show. Tartar, periodontitis and caries also affect dogs' teeth. For this reason, vets have been recommending brushing dogs' teeth for some time.
Dental problems in dogs and their causes
Dogs cannot communicate problems with their teeth. Therefore, they often remain undetected for a relatively long time. Dental problems in dogs can manifest themselves in many different forms: bad breath, frequent drooling, discolored teeth and even refusal to eat. The various symptoms of the four-legged friends are usually caused by one and the same problem: plaque, which hardens into tartar in dogs as in humans and can be effectively removed with a toothbrush and toothpaste. After eating, the dog leaves residues of dog food between its teeth. Without dental care, plaque forms within a few hours. Plaque is a thin biofilm that is made up of countless bacteria and causes inflammation in the dog's mouth. If the plaque is still soft, you can simply brush it away from your dog with a toothbrush. Otherwise, thanks to the minerals contained in the saliva, the plaque hardens over time into tartar, which can only be removed by a veterinarian in a complex session and usually requires general anesthesia.
tartar
In dogs, as in humans, tartar initially appears as a yellowish discoloration of the tooth surfaces, which gradually hardens into a brownish, solid layer. Another symptom is unpleasant bad breath, which is noticeable when cuddling with the dog. It provides bacteria in the oral cavity with excellent living conditions. This roughens the tooth surfaces, allowing even more bacteria to settle there.
Gingivitis
Tartar promotes gingivitis. If plaque and bacteria get into the groove between the dog's teeth and gums, gingivitis can develop, which is very painful for the pet.
periodontitis
In the case of periodontitis, the inflammation has spread from the gums to the periodontal tissue and the periodontal ligament, which then deteriorate as a result of the inflammation. This causes the dog's teeth to become loose and periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
From dental problems to organ damage
Dental problems are also associated with great pain in dogs, which is not always clearly evident. This often makes it difficult for the four-legged friend to chew food, meaning that the nutrients contained in the dog food are not released properly. In addition, the dangerous bacteria that settle in the oral cavity not only damage the dog's dental health, but can also enter the entire organism via the bloodstream and cause irreparable damage to other organs such as the liver or kidneys, but also to the heart.
Natural dental care is not enough for pets
Like its ancestor the wolf, the dog is a carnivore that feeds primarily on prey it has killed itself. Dental care with a toothbrush and toothpaste plays no role in the wild - and so some dog owners see no reason to practice oral hygiene on their pets because their ancestors in their natural habitat did not need it either. However, they are making a big mistake: although wolves can survive without a toothbrush and toothpaste, they cannot do without dental care. The animals clean their teeth when they eat and, unlike many pets that feed on artificially produced dog food, they hardly consume any carbohydrates. In addition, studies repeatedly suggest that the ancestors of dogs did indeed suffer from dental problems. In addition, the consistency of industrially produced dog food does not promote tooth abrasion, which can be seen as natural dental care for dogs. If dogs are only given wet food, they cannot wear down their teeth on individual food components. However, dry food is also not suitable for pets' dental care because dogs swallow the small pieces instead of chewing them. In addition, the chewing residues settle on the teeth.
Proper care for dog teeth: brushing
When it comes to dog dental care, a toothbrush and toothpaste bring the best results. Accordingly, veterinarians also recommend regular tooth brushing for pets, which removes food residue and plaque from the tooth surfaces. There are various products on the market for this purpose. Dog toothbrushes range from simple finger cots to highly modern ultrasonic toothbrush The toothpaste used must also be a product specifically designed for dogs, otherwise the ingredients could be harmful to the dog's health. As important as dental care is for four-legged friends, some animals are reluctant to have their teeth brushed. Therefore, you should get puppies used to the toothbrush and not wait until dental problems have developed before starting dental care.
Healthy teeth: dog dental care like at the vet thanks to emmi®-pet
With the emmi®-pet ultrasonic toothbrush, your dog’s teeth are cared for particularly thoroughly and gently. As a prophylaxis for healthy teeth, it offers, in combination with the specially developed toothpaste dog and owners. The ultrasound used by the brush is completely harmless and reaches even hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, cleaning them of bacteria, food residue and plaque. The ultrasonic toothbrush is particularly gentle on sensitive gums. The innovative technology works without any brushing. This means that, in contrast to other brushes, the almost contact-free dental care is relatively well accepted by dogs because there are no back and forth movements or acoustic noises or vibrations that frighten the animals. The emmi®-pet ultrasonic toothbrush is therefore a fear-free dental care method that even older dogs quickly get used to.
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