Any dog owner at some point will say, “My dog has bad breath, what’s wrong with him?” Dogs have bad breath for the same reasons humans do. But I’ll give you some tips to help you keep your canine’s mouth clean and free of bad breath.
The importance of dental care
True Story: One day I was sitting at the dog park and my dog climbed on my friend Michelle’s lap. Michelle made a grotesque face and said, “Jack has bad breath.” I thought, “No way. My dog doesn’t have bad breath.” Then I opened Jack’s mouth. I said, “OMG. My dog has bad breath!”
At first, I didn’t know why her breath smelled so bad, until I started to investigate. I thought dogs’ teeth cleaned themselves. That is only partially true. Just like humans, dogs should also have their teeth professionally cleaned.
Regular dental hygiene is important beyond making sure your dog’s teeth are white. Infected gums, broken or loose teeth, and other periodontal problems in a dog’s mouth can lead to bacteria. The bacteria then travels to your pet’s bloodstream.
And if you don’t catch these symptoms early, your dog’s heart, lungs, kidneys, intestinal tract, and liver can become infected.
Now that I know my dog has bad breath, I know it means an infection has set in and tartar buildup has occurred.
But I found a solution.
tartar buildup
That stinky smell is the smell of scale and plaque buildup. Tartar is found just below the gums. Tartar helps the growth of bacteria, which leads to inflammation of the gums.
If your dog has never had his teeth cleaned at the vet and is at least 3 years old, I recommend taking him to the vet for a thorough cleaning and polishing. This can be expensive, but it’s worth it. You want to know where he stands as he is not an expert in this area and wants to make sure your dog’s health is not in jeopardy.
Brush your dog’s teeth
Now comes the fun part. Never use human toothpaste on a canine. Fluoride will make you sick. Purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for dogs at your pet store or vet.
The finger brush is very similar to the toothbrush used for babies. It has a rubber hood, which is placed on the finger.
It has soft rubber bristles on one side, which is the side you should use to clean your dog’s teeth and gums. Once your dog gets used to the process, you can purchase a regular dog toothbrush.
The brushing process
The actual process of brushing your dog’s teeth is really simple:
1. Tilt your dog’s head back. It should be done at a 45 degree angle, at the junction where the teeth meet the gums.
2. Initially use circular movements.
3. Now use vertical movements to dislodge and discourage the formation of tartar and plaque.
Toys and Food to Maintain Dental Hygiene
To keep teeth and gums clean, alternate between wet and dry foods. Also, let your dog eat rawhide chews, as these help remove tartar. There are many chew toys and dog foods designed to help remove tartar from your dog’s teeth.
conclusion
It’s a good idea to get your dog used to looking at his mouth at an early age so that you can constantly keep an eye out for anything unusual going on in his mouth. If you brush your dog’s teeth daily and follow the suggestions outlined, you won’t find yourself saying, “My dog has bad breath, why?”