Why Dog Dental Care Is So Important

Some of you may or may not be aware, but February is Dog Dental Month. It is important to understand how critical good dental care for your dog can be. Good dental care benefits your dog's overall health long term. If your dog has any sort of dental disease, it doesn't just affect your dog's mouth. It can cause other health issues in his future. It can create heart, kidney, intestinal tract and joint problems. Luckily, there are some preventive measures you can take to make sure you keep your dog's health right on track.

While keeping your dog's teeth and mouth clean may seem like a chore, there are ways to do it that are fun. There are a lot of products on the market that make it convenient and inexpensive to do at home. Here are some tips that my husband, Jeremy, and I've used to keep our dogs' teeth sparkly clean and their mouths healthy.

Good old fashioned teeth brushing always does the trick. Please be aware that the toothpaste humans use is NOT something to use on your dogs. The kind of toothpaste we use for our dogs is specially designed for dogs. In fact, the tooth brushes we use on our dogs aren't the ones humans use, either. You should use a special dog tooth brush to help reach all the hard to clean places. These doggie tooth brushes can range from plastic ones with angled heads to rubber fingertip brushes. There are plenty of tooth brushes and flavored toothpastes to choose from that meet your dog's specific dental care needs.

Flossy toys and dental chews also help with your dog's dental care. Humans floss daily to prevent tartar build up, keep our teeth strong, and our gums healthy. Using flossy toys and dental chews help our dogs to prevent tartar build-up, keep their teeth strong, and keep their gums healthy. The simple chewing or knawing motion against the toys and treats is what does the trick. Your pup will enjoy the dental toy or treat while breaking down any tatar or plaque build up.

As a dog owner, I want my dogs, Petey and Harley, to be healthy and happy. I would love to have them around forever. Staying on top of their dental care is just as important as yearly vet appointments or shots. It's worth any effort to provide them a long, healthy life.