|
Keep Your Dogs Teeth
Healthy
by: Marilyn Pokorney
Dogs get plaque
and tartar on their teeth just like humans
do. Cleaning your dogs teeth between
professional cleanings is very simple.
Keeping your
dogs teeth and gums clean will eliminate
"doggy breath" as well as keep your dog
healthy.
Most
veterinarians suggest twice a week
brushings. When brushing teeth, use baking
soda or a special toothpaste formulated for
dogs, not toothpaste for humans. Pet
toothpastes contain enzymes that help
dissolve plaque and can be swallowed. They
also taste good.
Use a
toothbrush designed for pets or small
children. Or just use gauze or a washcloth
if the pet doesn't like the brush.
Tooth brushing
is best but if the dog won't let you brush
it's teeth then giving it something to chew
that rubs on the sides of the teeth is
useful.
Although dogs
do not usually get cavities in their teeth,
tooth problems result from soft foods that
can leave debris in gum pockets at the base
of the teeth, known as gingivitis.
Infections form which soften and cause the
gums to recede. Bad breath is a symptom.
Tartar buildup
can be removed from teeth by rubbing with a
solution of three percent hydrogen peroxide.
Advanced buildup requires scraping with
dental instruments. Some veterinarians use
ultrasonic now as well, so the treatment is
more pleasant.
For between
dental visits, provide soft chew toys made
of rubber or nylon and something made of
fiber like a chew rope which helps to wipe
the teeth clean.
For more
information on how to keep your dogs teeth
and mouth healthy visit:
http://www.apluswriting.net/petcare/dogteeth.htm
Copyright: 2005
Marilyn Pokorney
REQUIREMENTS
FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publish
this article free of charge in your e-zine,
newsletter, ebook, print publication or on
your website ONLY if it remains unchanged
and you include the copyright and author
information (Resource Box) at the end. You
may not use this article in any unsolicited
commercial email (spam).
You may
retrieve this article by:
Autoresponder:
dogteeth@getresponse.com
Website:
http://www.apluswriting.net/articles/dogteeth.txt
Please leave
the resource box intact with an active link,
and send a courtesy copy of the publication
in which the article appears to:
marilynp@nctc.net |
