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Even the most scrupulous owner can inadvertently neglect their dog’s dental care. Many people think that because the dog has plenty of chews, this will keep their teeth clean. Although dental chews do help, they cannot be counted on to provide all the dental care needed. The dogs I have shared my life with have had a wide range of dental needs. Pupper, our Great Pyrenees had the cleanest, whitest teeth imaginable. We attributed this to her habit or running long blades of saw grass through her teeth; this evidently acted as a kind of super dental floss and she never had a speck of plaque or tartar. On the other hand, my French Bulldog Gabby had the worst teeth imaginable. We got her as an adult and when we took her in for a checkup, we found out that she needed not only a cleaning, but the removal of 7 teeth. Only a few weeks after the cleaning her teeth were already getting coated with plaque again, although she was an enthusiastic gnawer of chew hooves. The removal of the 7 teeth, incisors, a canine, and a molar did not present any problems with eating. Some breeds are more susceptible to dental problems than others, and Gabby’s poor teeth are more common in brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs than in a long-muzzled dog like Pupper. It’s not only brachycephalic dogs that often suffer from dental problems, most toy dogs, such as Yorkshire Terriers and Chihuahuas are also subject to dental disease. Dental disease can include infected gums, teeth that become loosened, and abscesses. The type of food the dog eats can also contribute to the problem. Although most dogs prefer canned food over kibble, canned food tends to stick to the teeth. The residue of soft dog food will combine with enzymes from saliva and bacteria present in the mouth to form plaque. Unless plaque is removed it will harden into tartar. It will be basically impossible to remove tartar at home. It is possible, however, to help promote your dog’s dental health if you practice the same type of oral hygiene on your dog as you do on yourself. The dog’s teeth can be brushed once a day and using a ‘doggy’ toothpaste will make it more likely that the dog will accept the procedure. If your dog balks at the toothbrush, you can also use a washcloth over your finger to provide nearly the same level of care. Most dogs will not enjoy having their teeth brushed, and you will probably have to look forward to several months of uncomfortable brushings before your dog relaxes and accepts the procedure calmly. Regardless of how good a job you do at keeping your dog’s teeth clean at home, most dogs will still need a professional cleaning once a year. When scheduling your dog’s annual physical checkup, you can also have the teeth checked and cleaned at the same time. Dogs must be anaesthetized in order to have their teeth cleaned by the veterinarian, and the procedure will generally take under an hour. If you are having the teeth cleaned, your vet will probably advise you not to feed the dog after a certain point the day before. Those with breeds that are sensitive to anesthesia, such as French and English Bulldogs, should speak with their pet’s doctor beforehand to make certain that the veterinarian understands the proper anesthetic to use – the wrong type can harm or kill the dog. Bad teeth don’t just look ugly; they can cause serious health problems in dogs. Just like humans, dogs can develop gingivitis unless their teeth get regular cleanings. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by plaque which causes bleeding, swollen gums, and can progress to a more serious condition – periodontitis. While plaque will not cause serious harm and can be cured with proper treatment, periodontitis is much more serious. Periodontitis causes deterioration of the bone surrounding the roots of the teeth and can lead to abscesses and loss of teeth. Periodontal disease is dangerous to your pet not only because of tooth loss, but because it allows bacteria from plaque and tartar to enter the blood stream. Once these bacteria are circulating freely through your dog’s body, they can cause infections in the heart, liver, or kidneys. Periodontal disease also causes the immune system to become weakened, making your dog more susceptible to illnesses of all kinds. Ivan’s Puppies has been breeding and training puppies for over 30 years. Our hard work has been paying off, as now we are proud to be breeding Bulldog litters with excellent quality, with little to no health problems and good temperaments. For English Bulldog Puppies, visit our website at www.BulldogsNewYork.com.
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