Pets and Oral Hygiene

Author: Veterinarian Johs. Gjelstrup

Should you brush your dog’s teeth considering that in nature the dog would never do so? Yes, actually you should. Dogs easily get tartar which can cause problems with oral hygiene. Tartar appears as brownish deposits on the dog’s teeth. If discovered early it can be removed by brushing the teeth. However, if tartar is not removed it may develop into substantial deposits and expose tooth necks. This can lead to infections in the gums and tooth root, which is both painful and causes bad breath. In these cases it is necessary to use anesthesia to have the teeth carefully cleaned and polished by a vet. Teeth that are loose due to root infections are usually pulled out.

Make the puppy accustomed to the toothbrush
As a dog owner it is wise to accustom your puppy to regular teeth brushing with either Diafarm Toothpaste with enzymes or Toothpaste Herbal Fresh. Brush the dog’s teeth with a soft toothbrush, making small circular movements without pressing too hard, and rinse the mouth with clean water.

Mouth spray strengthens oral hygiene
It is also advisable to use a mouth spray to prevent bad breath. Diafarm OraFital helps protect against tartar, improves oral hygiene and provides a fresh breath. Diafarm OraFital can also be used for cats to help prevent bad breath. Spray it directly onto the teeth and/or gums and rinse off after a couple of minutes.