Chew on this for Dental Month!

Did you know that 80% of Australian dogs have some degree of dental disease by the age of 3? Keeping up with your dog’s dental health is extremely important. When veterinarians talk about dental disease, they are referring most commonly to gingivitis (reversible) and periodontitis (irreversible).

Chronic periodontal disease is known to affect other organ systems due to intermittent bacteraemia (a build-up of bacteria in the blood stream) and these animals can develop serious health problems, including kidney damage, valvular endocarditis and hepatitis. 

Signs of Dental Disease

• Reluctance to chew or eat

• Halitosis (bad breath)

• Discoloured teeth

• Loose teeth

• Drooling

• Facial swelling

• Pawing at the mouth

• Inflamed or bloody gums

Some breeds of dog such as chihuahuas or pugs are more at risk of developing dental disease due to the compact shape of their mouth. Senior dogs are also susceptible as they may be hiding painful old tooth fractures and their immune systems may be less able to withstand the impact of bacteraemia.

Finding and treating dental problems early on will prevent the need for more extreme (and expensive) veterinary procedures like tooth extractions and long antibiotic courses.

Myth: Dogs don't need dental care because they naturally clean their teeth by chewing.

Fact: While chewing can help reduce plaque, it doesn't completely prevent dental disease. Regular brushing and vet check-ups are essential.

How to Prevent Dental Disease

Prevention is always the best (and most fun) measure you can take to avoid all these problems for your pooch. 

In short the best way is to brush daily! Followed by feeding a healthy diet, dental treats and routine dentals by your veterinarian. 

Brushing

Just as we brush our teeth to keep them clean, you can also brush your dog’s teeth. Brushing with a dog tooth brush and special dog toothpaste removes plaque but must be done daily in order to achieve a level of prevention. 

Plaque is a mix of saliva, bacteria and food deposits on teeth and the pathology is well under way by 48 hours after cleaning, so get scrubbing! Remember – don’t ever use human toothpaste for your dog as the fluoride levels are too high! 

While tooth brushing is important, it cannot reverse moderate to severe dental disease already present. Additionally, despite our best efforts, dental plaque and gingivitis can still develop, even with a diligent home care routine.

Myth: Bad breath in dogs is normal.

Fact: Persistent bad breath can be a sign of dental disease or other health issues. It's important to consult a vet if your dog's breath smells consistently bad.

What to look for in Dog Toothpaste: 

All pet toothpastes contain an abrasive ingredient, similar to human toothpastes, which typically have at least 50% abrasives. Common abrasives in pet toothpastes include calcium carbonate, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), salt (sodium chloride), silica, and dicalcium phosphate.

• Ascophyllum Nodosum 

• Parsley 

• Mint 

• Olive Leaf Extract

• Enzymatic Ingredients 

What to Avoid in Dog Toothpaste: 

• Fluoride 

• Xylitol 

• Sugar 

• Propylene Glycol

• Tricolsan

• Sodium lauryl sulphate (Foaming agent which can cause gastric upset)

Diet

Feeding a quality raw meat diet that is fit for human consumption and most definitely free of artificial flavours, colours, preservatives, and low in sodium and nitrite.

Why raw? The natural ezymes in fresh raw meat and an essential component of the canine digestive process. Petzyo’s raw dog food range has prebiotics, probiotics and antioxidants to support your dog’s oral and gut microbiome, which positively changes the ecosystem of microorganisms living in their oral cavity, reducing the formation of plaque.

Petzyo’s Kangaroo and Sweet Potato dry dog food contains parsley – a herb that not only freshens your puppy’s breath, but is also rich in antioxidants. Oxidative stress can lead to periodontal issues, so it goes without saying to include some antioxidants to help support a healthy inflammatory response to defend your dog’s gums. 

Want to learn more about dental diet for dogs? Check out our blogpost on "What’s Included in a Good Dental Diet for Dogs."

Dental Treats 

Eating dry kibble alone is not enough to help reduce plaque and tartar. Other strategies to prevent build-up of plaque are to feed dog dental treats that encourage more chewing. 

Giving your dog healthy chewing opportunities several times weekly is vital to their physical and mental health and dental treats are just what the doctor ordered. Dental treats are another form of plaque removal, like using a delicious jerky toothbrush! Those yummy calories can add up though, so limit treats to approximately 10% of your pup’s diet. 

What to look for in a Dental Treat:

A meat-based treat that can easily be broken down into pieces is perfect to offer as treats. For dental benefits, gnawing and repetitive grinding is what breaks down plaque. 

• Size of the treat: Most small dogs handle smaller chews just fine, but if you have a ‘scoffer’ (i.e. a dog that wants to swallow the treat whole), then bigger pieces are the way to go.  Some processes meat hides have the potential to become stuck in the mouth once they reach a smaller size, so it’s best to avoid processed hides all together

• Fully-digestible and high quality ingredients

• Density or hardness – if a piece is broken off and swallowed, can it get stuck somewhere? 

• Stick to treats made in Australia with clear labels. Some foreign treats contain poor quality questionable or even contain toxic ingredients that can be harmful.
  
  

Bones

Dogs can be fed recreational bones (primarily the long bones of mammals) or edible bones (for example raw chicken necks and wings). Never leave your dog alone with bones – always make sure they’re under your supervision. A good rule of thumb is that a bone should be as big as your dog’s head so they can’t accidentally swallow it.

Everything in moderation! Feeding a sole diet of bones is insufficient as a balanced diet and can eventually cause their teeth to wear down too quickly. Many raw bones contain marrow, which is naturally very high in fat and can cause significant digestive disturbances or pancreatitis in dogs.

BEWARE of your HARD CHEWERS 

Dogs with a fast and furious approach to chewing are what’s known as “hard chewers”. These dogs often bite off chunks of bone that are too large to swallow safely without possibility of choking or blockage. Hefty dogs like bull terriers, staffies and shepherds have strong jaws and also risk overdoing it by cracking a tooth, which can lead to painful abscesses and expensive surgery. Do not give these dogs hard bones, antlers or marrow bones that encourage a strong vertical bite force – they might fracture their teeth. Try a knuckle bone under direct supervision or no bone at all.

DO NOT feed cooked bones to your dog. Cooked bones are a choking hazard and can also cause intestinal damage when swallowed.  

See your Veterinarian

Remember to get regular dental health checks for your dog. This is also a perfect opportunity to chat to your veterinarian about any other health care matters. Dentistry is a discipline of veterinary science that is reliant on a comprehensive examination and expert knowledge of an animal’s anatomy, physiology and pathology to make a diagnosis and perform appropriate treatments.

A visit to the veterinarian is recommended at least once every year to keep dog’s health in check. Your vet nurse and veterinarian will work together to assess your dog’s teeth and gums during an exam, and discuss their initial findings with you. Anaesthesia is required in dogs and cats to perform a thorough and complete dental examination including intraoral x-rays.

Unfortunately, gingivitis or periodontal disease can’t be fixed at home; your pooch will need a scale and polish at the vet hospital. This involves a general anaesthetic and involves specialised dental equipment to scale off tartar and polish the tooth surface.

Dog Dental Care: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is dental care important for dogs?

Just like in humans, dental care is crucial for dogs to prevent dental diseases, which can lead to pain, tooth loss, and infections that can affect their overall health.

2. How often should I brush my dog's teeth?

Ideally, you should brush your dog's teeth daily. However, even brushing a few times a week can make a significant difference in preventing dental issues.

3. What should I use to brush my dog's teeth?

Use a toothbrush designed for dogs and toothpaste formulated specifically for pets. Human toothpaste contains ingredients that can be harmful to dogs if ingested.

4. Can I use natural alternatives like coconut oil for brushing?

Coconut oil can help to some extent, but it doesn't replace the need for proper dog toothpaste. Dog toothpaste is formulated to break down plaque and bacteria effectively.

5. How can I tell if my dog has dental issues?

Look for signs like bad breath, red or swollen gums, difficulty eating, excessive drooling, or loose teeth. If you notice any of these, consult your vet.

6. Are dental chews effective?

Dental chews can help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, but they should be used in conjunction with regular brushing, not as a substitute.

7. How often should my dog have a professional dental cleaning?

This varies depending on the dog's age, breed, and dental health. Generally, once a year is recommended, but some dogs may require more frequent cleanings.