Ensure Good Oral Hygiene for Your Dog

Written by Doris Donnerman (last updated February 17, 2009)

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When I was growing up, my grandparents owned this little poodle and she was so cute and we all loved her, but she had one major and hugely significant flaw: she had the worst dog breath I've ever smelled. It was simply rancid. One way this could have been prevented is if my grandparents had taken better care of little Coco's teeth when she was younger.

Breath is not the sole issue at hand when it comes to oral hygiene; did you know that keeping plaque off your dog's teeth can add two or three years to their life? And that's in people years! Here is a tip explaining that your dog can live longer with good oral hygiene.

When dogs have poor oral hygiene, their mouth becomes a central place for bacterial growth fueled by leftover food. The bacteria will grow and fester, and given enough time, will start to spread to other parts of the dog's body. This bacteria is rarely ever fatal in itself, but it can and will affect the various functions your dog's body performs. The bacteria will rarely be the cause of an organ failure, but it can weaken and damage the internal organs enough so that the organs are more susceptible to other infection.

So, how then can you prevent internal infection and prolong your dog's life? The answer is simple: take care of your dog's teeth. Brush your dog's teeth regularly and take your dog to the vet regularly as well, so the vet can spot any problems, oral or otherwise. By staying on top of your dog's oral hygiene, you'll be doing it a favor and prolong its life for up to three years!

Author Bio

Doris Donnerman

Doris is a jack of all trades, writing on a variety of topics. Her articles have helped enlighten and entertain thousands over the years. ...

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What is 2 + 2?

2014-06-26 15:43:40

Candace

I've recently had to attend a seminar at my vets on Oral hygiene prior to having my dogs teeth examined and cleaned. It ended up he had 2 broken teeth. What I learned: Using your fingernail, if you cannot put a dent in the bone, toy, etc. do not give to your dog. Good chance it can break his teeth causing pain. Also NEVER let your dog chase or chew on sticks. It's common for splinters to pierce the roof of the mouth and even go up into the sinuses. Dogs do not express pain so your dog could have many problems in the mouth without your ever knowing it. My dog would constantly drool and not want to play as much, and I thought it was an upset stomach but his broken teeth were causing him pain. He is now a much happier dog and I'm upset that it took me so long to get him to the vet dentist.