When Should You Start Getting Your Dogs Teeth Cleaned?

Dental disease is common in dogs but it can be treated. A dog that has healthy teeth and gums will live longer and be healthier in general. When your dog is about 1 year old, take it to the vet and have its teeth examined. The vet may suggest that the dog's teeth need cleaning. Have it done regularly when you take your dog to the vet for regular checkups and do your part by brushing its teeth.

  1. Neglect

    • Dental neglect can be life-shortening because gum and mouth infections can travel to vital organs. One of the most serious health problems in older dogs is periodontal disease. If your dog has terribly bad breath, it may have an abscessed tooth or periodontal disease that is the outcome of plague buildup. If not treated, this can cause a bacterial infection that enters the dog's bloodstream and then its heart, liver, kidney and brain. If you notice that your dog's eating or chewing behavior has changed, its teeth may be bothering it.

    Brushing

    • Start brushing your dog's teeth when it is a puppy. Wrap your finger in sterile gauze and put a little bit of dog toothpaste on it. Do not use human toothpaste. Rub your fingers along your canine's mouth and inside the dog's mouth. Once your dog is accustomed to you doing this, switch to a rubber finger pet brush on its teeth. Be gentle. Brush for no more than 60 seconds. When the dog is used to the finger pet brush, transition it to a regular dog toothbrush. Let your dog examine the toothbrush before you put it in its mouth. Lightly brush the front teeth and a couple of the back teeth. Brush every day and brush a few more teeth each day, advises Cactus Canyon. Talk kindly to your dog when you are brushing its teeth.

    Oral Exam

    • An oral exam by the vet allows him to identify any problems or potential problems that the dog is having or may have. These problems include gingivitis, plague, tartar buildup, fractured teeth, periodontal disease or abscessed teeth. The vet will check for oral discharges, asymmetry and swelling. He will look at the dog's bite, gums and teeth and examine its tongue, check its tonsils and look at the inner surfaces of the its gums and teeth. He will also palpate the lymph nodes in the dog's neck and check the shape, size and consistency of its salivary glands, according to Pet Education.

    Professional Cleaning

    • The canine is anesthetized before the vet cleans its teeth. X-rays are taken, the mouth is washed out with solution that kills bacteria and the teeth are cleaned with ultrasonic scalers. The vet removes all calculus from below and above the line of the gum. Each of the teeth are further inspected for signs of disease and then polished. Once again, the mouth is flushed with an antibacterial wash and a dental agent is applied to the teeth that fights plaque buildup.

    Tips

    • When your dog is a pup, give it access to toys that it can chew on, which will benefit its teeth and gums. Crunchy foods are also good for the teeth -- encourage your dog to chew on crunchy biscuits. Purchase dog toothpaste that has chlorhexidinein it. If you get chicken- or beef-flavored toothpaste, your dog will be more cooperative and may even beg to get its teeth brushed. Regularly brush the dog's teeth; doing so will allow you to extend the periods between veterinary visits, which saves you money.