Engadine Veterinary Hospital

Getting into the habit

It’s a good practice to start caring for your pup’s teeth at a young age. Plaque and tartar can build up anytime in a dog's life. These bacteria can develop into big problems as your dog ages if left unattended.

Start regularly brushing your dog’s teeth and massaging their gums as early as when they are a puppy. Not only does this help their teeth and gums develop cleanly, but it also trains your dog about regular dental hygiene. The more your dog understands that brushing is a part of life, the easier it will be to maintain the routine when they get bigger.

You can also keep things fun with dental chew toys and snacks. These are great for any dog, not just teething puppies, because they are designed to naturally clean teeth while the dog gnaws on them. There are plenty of these toys and snacks to choose from on the market, so check with your vet which ones will fit best with your dog’s diet.

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Watch out for these symptoms

Sometimes, having white teeth is not enough of an indication that your dog has a healthy mouth. The following are symptoms you also need to look (and smell) out for:

• Smelly breath
• Increased drooling
• Loose teeth

Each of these could point to an underlying dental condition like oral infections or gingivitis. Reach out to your vet as soon as possible once you notice unusual symptoms in your little pup.

We advise keeping a close eye on your dog’s appetite as well. If they start showing an unwillingness to eat, then that could mean they are experiencing pain as they chew. The sooner you treat what’s happening with their teeth and mouth, the sooner your dog can go back to munching on all their favourite food.

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Maintaining a dental routine

By the time dogs hit their adult years, they will have up 42 fully grown teeth. With more teeth, it means adult dogs are more prone to experience dental problems. In fact, roughly 80% of dogs aged over three years old deal with dental diseases. That is why we recommended having adult dogs regularly checked for dental disease.

Annual dental cleans at your local vet clinic mitigates long-lasting complications or infections from developing. After all, a pup with fresh breath and a clean smile is adorable to have running around the house.

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