The Best Ways to Care for a Dog's Teeth & Gums

Dogs with bleeding gums, bad breath, mouth ulcers, and loose or missing teeth commonly suffer from periodontal disease caused by an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. This painful disease causes a dog to eat less, lose weight and, in severe cases, can lead to heart and kidney disease when the bacteria leaves the mouth and travels to major organs in the body. Learning the best ways to keep your dog's mouth clean and healthy can help your pet lead a longer, happier life.

  1. Veterinary Cleaning

    • A veterinary dental cleaning requires that your dog be placed under anesthesia so the veterinarian can fully examine all of the teeth and surgically probe for any abscesses or pockets under the gum line. If the teeth are loose in the gums, your vet may request that dental radiographs be taken during the procedure to determine possible root and bone damage. Typically, a trained veterinary technician cleans, scales and polishes the teeth, while the vet performs any necessary extractions and administers antibiotics. In "Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians," Drs. Dennis McCurnin and Joanna Bassert recommend that dogs have their teeth cleaned by a vet yearly to prevent the spread of bacteria to the heart and other body organs.

    At-Home Cleaning

    • Dental care at home begins with daily tooth brushing. Many veterinarians stock finger brushes, doggy toothbrushes and specially formulated canine toothpaste for home use. By placing a small amount of the toothpaste on a brush and running along the outside of your dog's teeth and gums, you remove the plaque that can harden into tartar within 36 hours, says Dr. William Rosenblad of PetPlace.com. Starting this practice early with a puppy, and continuing as the dog matures, can reduce the frequency of veterinary dental cleanings.

    Dental Chew Toys

    • Dental dog chew toys prevent the accumulation of the plaque and tartar that leads to periodontal disease. As your dog chews on its toy, the hard, coarse texture scratches off the residue of food that builds into plaque and calculus on the teeth. The toys freshen your dog's breath by removing bacteria, can prevent destructive chewing behavior, whiten your dog's smile and help your puppy with teething issues, state veterinarians on the Vetinfo website.

    Vaccinations

    • In 2005, the U.S. Department of Agriculture conditionally licensed a new vaccine for use in healthy dogs as an aid to prevent periodontal disease. The porphyromonas vaccine works by killing the three types of anaerobes -- bacteria that don't need oxygen to thrive -- causing the gum inflammation, tooth loss and bone degeneration that characterizes dental disease. Your dog needs two doses of the vaccine, three to four weeks apart, preferably after a veterinary dental cleaning. Along with the vaccine, the veterinarians at Northwest Rankin Animal Clinic of Flowood, Mississippi, advise that you continue routine home brushing and veterinary cleaning as part of comprehensive dental care for your dog.

    Solid Food

    • Solid kibble cleans your dog's mouth by scraping off plaque that collects on the teeth during the day. If you decide to give your pet solid food and hard treats, such as baby carrots and bites of apple, ensure that the food contains the essential nutrients necessary for optimum health, says VetInfo.com.