Brushing Your Dog's Teeth: Why It's Important
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Brushing your dog's teeth may not be easy, but it is an important part of any dog's grooming routine. By taking a proactive approach to your dog's dental health, you can help fight against many common dental health issues, like bad breath, plaque and tartar buildup, and periodontal disease. Keep your dog's teeth in good condition by following these tips:
Prevent your dog from having bad breath
Most dogs with bad breath usually have poor dental care. Cleaning your dog's teeth regularly can help prevent the odor from developing while also removing any food particles in between your dog's teeth and gums.
Remove tartar and plaque buildup
Brushing your dog's teeth regularly removes tartar and plaque. Although tartar starts in the mouth, if not removed it can then transplant to other parts of the body where it can build up and cause blockages that affect other organs and joints. Brushing regularly can also prevent heart disease, arthritis, and multiple other complications.
Prevent periodontal disease
Periodontal disease is one of the most prominent diseases to affect dogs. Brushing your dog's teeth stimulates the gum and cleans the tooth in the same way that brushing your own teeth does. Regular toothbrushing is the best possible way to ensure that your dog has a mouth full of healthy teeth well into the adult years.
Reduce damage to your dog's internal organs
Toxins from periodontal and other oral diseases are absorbed into your dog's bloodstream, and can damage the heart, kidneys, and liver which filter the blood. For this reason, regular toothbrushing is crucial to prevent bacteria in your dog's mouth from infecting and fatally damaging the internal organs.
Train your puppy to allow you to put your hands in his or her mouth so that you can brush the teeth. Ideally your dog's teeth should be brushed daily, but most veterinarians suggest brushing at least twice a week.