We all put a lot of thought on our furry friend’s health. From the quality of food to routine checkups and regular grooming, we try to do our best for keeping our pooch fit and healthy. But what about his dental health? Oral hygiene of dogs is generally overlooked. Most of us believe in the old conventional wisdom passed on to us from generations that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than human. But despite the popular notion dogs can still develop dental problems which are far more serious than bad breath and yellow teeth. Our furry friend’s our prone to develop problems like plaque buildup, tartar and gingivitis, which can lead to deadly infections and other heart, kidney and liver diseases. As such it’s important to pay attention to dog’s dental health. Following are some tips and tricks to maintain your dog’s oral hygiene.

Daily Brush

Just like you start your day by brushing your teeth, it’s important to give the same start to your furry friend as well. Although it can be difficult at first, with plenty of efforts and patience you can turn the same into a bonding activity. A canine toothbrush and paste is obviously the first thing you will need. Let your pooch warm up to the experience first by letting him smell the brush and paste. This way he will get acquainted to it and the daily encounters with the same will make him less and less agitated. Start slow and gradually increase the pace as your dog starts to ease up with brushing.

Dental Toy’s and Treats

There are various treats, toys and food which are especially meant to promote oral health in dogs. Pamper your pooch with some dental toys and treats in order to help them maintain healthy gums and teeth. Although dental toys cannot replace the benefits from daily brushing the teeth, it surely is an easy and effective oral hygiene step you should follow.

Bad Breath Alert

Ever encountered a musky scent coming from your dog’s mouth? Bad breath is usually an alert that your fluffy might have some dental problem. It is usually a result of build-up of odor-producing bacteria in dog’s mouth, lungs or gut. If the bad breath persists, it means that your canine is in need of a dental check-up since it is also a symptom of gastrointestinal tract, liver or kidney disease. Your vet can easily pinpoint the cause and also offer a cure for your dog’s bad breath.

Dental Exam

Just like we regularly get our teeth checked from dentist, similarly our pets also need to get a proper dental exam by a veterinarian. A regular physical exam will help prevent any dental problem in future and if your dog shows signs such as bad breath, yellow or brown teeth, bleeding gums etc., a physical exam will confirm the underlying cause and treat the same on time.
About the author: Shane Paarman is a big time pet lover and a blog writer. He combines his love for both to write informative articles. The main purpose of his writing is to help his fellow pet lovers. He is a regular contributor to http://petstraininghq.com/, where you can learn more about dogs and how to train them.