Adult dogs possess an impressive and often imposing set of 42 teeth. But it is important that a dog owner be familiar with opening a dog's mouth to check on the teeth, gums and breath. Dogs can get gingivitis and periodontal disease just like people. These canine teeth problems are caused by plaque, a soft pus-like covering of bacterial growth caused by hair or food particles caught in the teeth. Plague then hardens into tartar.
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Opening Mouth
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Place one hand over the dog's nose so that the thumb and fingers are on the dog's lips. Pull up. In this way, you can check your dog's teeth for plaque build up or tartar build up along the dog's gum lines. You can also check for sores, cuts, strange growths, bad breath that smells like rotting meat or any other problem in the mouth.
According to "The Veterinarian's Guide to Your Dog's Symptoms," dog's teeth should be checked when they exhibit mouth pain such as loss of appetite, excessive drooling, or eating with the head tilted to one side. Veterinarians can also check the dog's teeth during annual visits.
Prevention
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Give your dog dental toys that help brush off plaque. These toys often have rows of hard knobs along the sides that help to rub plaque off of the teeth or prevent plaque from building up. Holly Nash, DVM, recommends that puppies should be taught at an early age to accept getting their teeth brushed. This also acts to prevent plaque build up on canine teeth. Do not use human toothpaste, as this will make a dog vomit. Instead, only use toothpaste that is especially formulated for dogs.
Smear the paste on a dog tooth brush or a device that slips over one entire finger. Gently brush the teeth in a straight back and forth motion. The dog will be licking the toothpaste, which will help brush off the inside of the gums. Ideally, dogs should have their teeth brushed every day, especially toy-sized dogs, which may be prone to teeth loss problems due to a condition known as "unstable jaw."
Professional Cleaning
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Take the dog to veterinarian if you suspect gingivitis for a professional cleaning. According to "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," if tartar and plaque are removed professionally, this can prevent periodontal disease, even if the dog already has been diagnosed with gingivitis. The dog will get X-rays of the mouth to see how bad the damage is below the gum line. Dogs will then need to get their teeth scaled with an instrument that looks like a tiny electric sander. To tolerate the scaling, dogs are usually put under anesthesia. The dog's teeth will also be rinsed with an anti-bacterial solution. Metal probes are used to clean out plaque or tartar pockets below the gum line.
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