Bad Breath: Dog's Dental Health

BAD BREATH: DOG'S DENTAL HEALTH

Your dog is your special friend, your companion. I'm sure you want him to stay in the best of health, and that will include being aware of his oral health.

A dog's dental health may be one of the most neglected areas in caring properly for your dog's overall well-being. You may think that your dog has bad breath because of something he ate, or maybe because he hasn't been drinking enough water. However, your dog's bad breath may be an indication of needed dental care, or something more serious.

Your dog's bad breath may indicate a need for teeth cleaning, something you may try at home. The younger the dog is, the more acceptable he will be in letting you check his dental health. If possible, start when the dog is a puppy. However, if your dog is older, it is not to late to be aware of his need for dental care.

Here are some suggestions for you to be able to brush your dog's teeth:

1. Start by rubbing his cheeks, then his lips. You may have to do this a couple of times a week, for a couple of weeks. You need to get him use to you touching his mouth area. Praise him!

2. As he gets more comfortable with you touching his cheeks, have your dog look you in the face and gently raise his lips so you can see his gums. Try to make a game of it. You may have to do this several times. The goal is to get your dog comfortable with you looking and touching inside of his mouth. Praise him!

3. While looking at his gums, check for redness, swelling, and/or loose or broken teeth. Praise him for letting you examine his mouth!

4. Next, take your finger and rub his teeth and gums. It maybe necessary to dip your finger in beef or chicken broth so he can taste the flavor and lick it off of your finger. Praise him!

5. Instead of just using your finger, you may feel more comfortable putting a piece of gauze around your finger. Then dip your finger in the broth. Rub his teeth and gums gently. Rub his teeth at a 45 degree angle. Praise him!

6. A rubber finger dog dental applicator can also be purchased. This applicator can be used to brush his teeth with dog tooth paste. Do not use human toothpaste because it may upset your dog's stomach.

7. Another method is to purchase a dog tooth brush. The bristles are much softer than the brush you would use.

8. Dog tooth paste is available for purchase.

9. There are drops that you can purchase that you can put into your dog's water. This helps to freshen his breath. This would probably be used to supplement his routine teeth cleaning.

10. Pet chews are available that you can put dog tooth paste in or on a chew toy. As he chews, the paste helps improve his breath.

11. Remember to be consistent with the tooth exam and cleaning. Doing it once in a while will probably not be sufficient.

12. If the above methods do not work, you may decide to make an appointment with your veterinarian for the dental cleaning.

If, after you have brushed your dog's teeth, and he continues to have bad breath, there may be a more serious problem. When a dog matures to 3 to 4 years of age, it may be necessary to investigate the issue more in depth.

To investigate, you will need to exam your dog's teeth further. Some questions you might answer to evaluate the bad breath issue could be:

* Is your dog drooling?
* Has your dog lost his appetite?
* Has your dog stopped chewing on his favorite toys or dog chews?
* Does he have difficulty in eating or chewing his food?
* Are his gums red and swollen?
* Is there a yellow-brown crust near the gum line?
* Do you see tumors on the gums or under the tongue.

If any of these conditions are present, these symptoms need immediate attention from your veterinarian. Call for an appointment.

Bad breath should not be ignored! Bad breath can indicate a serious problem. As with humans, if dental care is ignored, poor health may be the result. If you detect any abnormalities, contact your veterinarian.

In the more serious cases, bad breath could indicate one of the following health issues:

* Periodontal disease
* Gingivitis
* Halitosis
* Mouth tumors
* Salivary cysts
* Kidney disease
* Gastrointestinal disease
* Dietary "indiscretions" - eating spoiled garbage, etc.

Once your dog has become comfortable with home dental care, continue the routine on a regular basis. Always contact your veterinarian with any concerns or questions you may have. Praise your dog often through the process.

A Healthy Dog Is A Happy Dog!