Dental health is just as important as physical health when it comes to your dog’s overall well-being, but it often gets ignored. We’re making it easy, and giving you the skinny on how to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and what to look for if they are experiencing dental issues.
How to keep your dog’s teeth healthy
Healthy teeth will contribute to your dog’s overall health, and taking care of their dental health is as easy as giving them a treat once a day. A lot of pet parents love dental chews and “toothbrushes” like Greenies as a convenient way to keep their dog’s teeth clean. Treats and chews help “brush” your dog’s teeth and keep tartar from building up and causing problems–they can even help with stinky breath. If you are looking for a more hands-on approach, you can buy a regular toothbrush and actually brush your dog’s teeth–you can even find dog-specific toothpaste.
Note: don’t use human toothpaste on your dog as it can be harmful to them! Your vet should do a dental check with their regular checkups, but if you want an additional check, just reach out to your vet!
The importance of a healthy diet
Your dog’s diet is the number one contributor to good, or bad, dental health. Their dental health can decline because of a build-up of bad bacteria in their mouths that can lead to tartar build-up and gum issues. Making sure your dog’s diet is balanced is the easiest and most effective way to keep their dental health in check.
MYTH ALERT: My dog needs crunchy kibble to keep their teeth clean
While some say that kibble is good for your dog’s teeth, there is no conclusive evidence that it actually benefits your pup’s teeth, and the grit of kibble can actually wear down your dog’s teeth faster in the long run. Think of it like this: would you eat potato chips to clean your teeth? Sure, it can get some gunk out, but it won’t actually do anything to keep your teeth clean.
Now, if your dog really wants crunchy food & you think it has helped your pup’s teeth, we must recommend our PetPlate FreshBaked Entrées. Not because they are crunchy, but because they contain postbiotics. Why does this matter?
- Postbiotics can help balance the gut microbiome in your pup’s mouth by replacing good bacteria and reducing bad bacteria (yes, there is good bacteria!)
- Postbiotics can help prevent plaque buildup keeping their mouth healthy
- Postbiotics can reduce bad breath (it’s true!!)
Signs of dental issues
If your dog has chronic bad breath, a.k.a. Halitosis, a build-up of tartar (yellow and brown deposits around the gum line), redness or irritation around their gums, or you notice that your dog has had trouble eating because of dental pain, then they could be exhibiting signs of dental issues. Contact your vet right away to get their dental health checked out, and, of course, follow their recommendations for their best course of action!
Now give your pup a big smile of your own – did you know that dog’s can read human facial expressions? While they won’t get that this means they need to brush their teeth, they will relax and wag their tail seeing their favorite person smiling big at them!
