Tartar in dogs is a common problem and a potentially dangerous condition. It can lead to serious health problems and affect the well-being of your four-legged friend. Causes such as bacterial plaque caused by food residue and minerals in saliva can contribute to the formation of tartar. The symptoms range from bad breath to gum inflammation (periodontitis) to difficulty eating.

But there are effective solutions for treating and preventing tartar. We'll show you practical tips for treatment and an innovative method of preventing tartar using ultrasound. Dental care that works without scrubbing and is particularly animal-friendly.

Tartar is a hard, yellowish to brownish deposit on your dog's teeth. It forms when plaque mineralizes, which is promoted by saliva and food debris. This layer of plaque forms when bacteria and food particles accumulate on the teeth.

Plaque is the first step in tartar formation and is easy to remove. However, if it is not removed in time, it can develop into tartar. Tartar is a mixture of germs, food particles, harmful fungi, calcium and phosphate salts, and mucosal cells. Dogs are particularly prone to tartar because their saliva often contains more minerals than humans.

Tartar formation in dogs occurs in several steps:

• Formation of plaque: The build-up of bacteria and food particles.
• Mineralization: The development of plaque into tartar.
• Hardening: Tartar becomes hard and adheres firmly to the teeth.

Another factor that promotes the formation of tartar is dental care. Insufficient cleaning of your dog's teeth can accelerate the development of tartar. Therefore, it is important to establish regular grooming routines to promote your dog's well-being.

Tartar often forms unnoticed over long periods of time until you finally notice unpleasant bad breath in your four-legged friend. There are many possible causes for this, but plaque and tartar are usually the triggers in dogs.

Tartar is easy to recognize. Unlike plaque, it is hard and cannot simply be scraped off. You can check for this with your fingernail to be sure.

In addition to bad breath, other symptoms can occur in the advanced stages of tartar build-up:

• Inflamed gums are red and may bleed or fester.
• Wobbly teeth indicate that the tartar may have already led to periodontitis.
• Lack of appetite and an overall sluggish state can indicate toothache.
• Excessive salivation is also a sign of possible toothache.

If these symptoms occur, a visit to the veterinarian is advisable.

The mineralized plaque on your dog's teeth poses risks because it often contains harmful germs such as streptococci. These bacteria can quickly spread to the surrounding gums and lead to gum infections such as periodontal disease or periodontitis. Such infections endanger dental health by causing toothache and potentially leading to tooth loss.

If left untreated, tartar in dogs can even affect the jaw bones. This can not only be very painful for your dog, but also increase the risk of sepsis and potentially lead to cardiovascular problems. In severe cases, bacteria can enter your dog's bloodstream (bacteremia) and, in the worst case, lead to sepsis (blood poisoning).

First, your dog's mouth will be thoroughly examined by the veterinarian. If the tartar buildup is extensive, an X-ray may be needed to check whether the jawbone is affected.

After the diagnosis, the veterinarian will decide if the tartar needs to be removed. If so, your dog will have blood drawn to check for any underlying conditions and to assess his overall health. Since the scaling procedure is done under anesthesia, inflammatory markers and liver and kidney values will be checked beforehand. The heart will also be monitored to ensure that there is no cardiac arrhythmia. If the blood work is okay and your dog is in good health, he can be anesthetized.

To remove tartar, the dog must be under general anesthesia. Often, dogs are intubated to prevent tartar, pulled teeth or fluids from entering the lungs and possibly causing pneumonia. Although scaling is usually painless, gum disease can cause pain in dogs. The procedure requires the entire mouth to be easily accessible to the veterinarian, which an alert or only sedated dog would not allow.

An ultrasound device is a key tool in the process. A scaler is often used first to loosen the coarse deposits before the rest of the tartar is removed using ultrasound.

To prevent bacteria from re-establishing itself, the treated teeth are then polished with a special paste. If necessary, gum inflammation is also treated or teeth are extracted. You can usually take your dog home after the procedure, provided there are no complications.

While tartar cannot be removed with a dental care routine, it can be effectively prevented. Toothbrushing with a dog toothbrush regularly is the most important part of tartar prophylaxis. Snacks with a tooth-cleaning effect can also prevent the formation of plaque and thus tartar, but they are not always effective.

Your dog's dental health is essential for his well-being. An ultrasonic toothbrush for animals is an effective and animal-friendly solution from home. Thanks to the ultrasonic technology, your four-legged friend's teeth are cleaned gently, without noise and without annoying scrubbing. This means that an ultrasonic dog toothbrush is also suitable for sensitive animals.

An important aspect of regular use is the reduction of bacteria. By removing the biofilm on the teeth, the formation of tartar is effectively prevented. Dental care with the ultrasonic toothbrush offers the following advantages:

• minimizing gum inflammation
• Prevention of bad breath and long-lasting fresh breath
• reduction of plaque and bacteria
• reducing the risk of secondary diseases
• Long-term cost savings through fewer veterinary visits
• No scrubbing, noiseless and therefore no stress for your four-legged friend

The emmi-pet ultrasonic toothbrush is versatile and, thanks to the special brush attachments, is suitable for all dog breeds and sizes. Veterinarians and animal caretakers appreciate its efficient effect and are happy to recommend it thanks to its effective and easy handling.

The emmi-pet ultrasonic toothbrush uses an innovative ultrasonic technology. The patented piezo chip generates up to 96 million ultrasonic vibrations per minute, effectively breaking down bacteria and plaque. These vibrations penetrate deeply and thoroughly clean the teeth – without scrubbing, noise or vibration.

Unlike conventional toothbrushes or finger cots, no mechanical scrubbing is needed. The ultrasonic waves do the work, protecting the teeth and gums. This way, you can provide your dog with stress-free and effective oral care.

You can't completely remove tartar from your dog yourself, but you can effectively prevent it from forming. Here are some methods that work well together:

• Daily brushing: Use a special dog toothpaste that does not foam and does not contain fluoride, together with a dog toothbrush.
• Snacks and dog food with a dental care effect: Plant fibers and mineral additives rub off plaque when chewing and gnawing. These support tooth cleaning, but cannot replace brushing. Also make sure to feed high-quality food that meets your dog's needs.

Dogs often develop tartar, or dental calculus, due to inadequate dental care. If tartar is not treated, it can lead to gum disease and more serious problems. If your dog already has tartar, you should see a veterinarian and have it professionally removed. You cannot remove it yourself.

As you already know, some dog breeds or dogs with certain genetic traits tend to develop more tartar. However, there are several ways to prevent tartar build-up. Regular brushing with a dog toothbrush is particularly important. In addition, special snacks that clean the teeth can help to prevent tartar build-up.