Like babies, a puppy is also born toothless. They develop rapidly and their teeth start growing by the sixth or the seventh week. Some of their incisors start falling by the age of 3 months and the adult canine and molars start developing. When the puppy is 7-8 months old, all of their puppy teeth are replaced by 42 adult teeth.
From chewies to marrow bones to dental diets, which of these bring a major difference to your dog’s dental health?
According to Pets Web Md, a dog may suffer from dental problems just like we humans do. When puppies suffer from dental issues, it may lead to problems like loss of appetite, broken teeth and more. Plaque and bacteria may develop on the teeth of puppies from a young age. If not brushed or treated properly, it may turn into tartar within a few days. Tartar build-up may lead to painful gums, inflammation and other infections and periodontal diseases. These often lead to serious damage to the jawbones and loss of teeth. It is also said that dental issues “may even damage other organs if bacteria gets into the bloodstream through diseased gums.”
Hence professional advice and medical treatment should be provided as and when required by your canine companion.
Some of the common symptoms of oral diseases are:
- Bad breath
- Broken teeth
- Loose teeth
- Swollen gums
- Tumours
- Bleeding gums
- Tartar
- Plaque
It is very important to keep your pooch happy, healthy and active. Keeping your pet healthy includes taking care of his/her overall health like eating habits, oral health, etc to avoid the onset of diseases. Frequent brushing, the right medication and food habits – all of it makes up for the well-being of your pup in the long run.
Some Common Oral Diseases in Puppies
Unpleasant breath
Bacteria build-up inside the mouth for a long time leads to unpleasant or stinky breath in dogs. This condition requires immediate attention as it may lead to severe chronic diseases in the long run. Puppy dental chews or professional cleaning may help control bad breath.
Discoloured teeth
Blunt trauma and extensive chewing on sharp or hard objects can lead to discolouration of teeth. When the pulp bleeds, it stains the pink dentine and eventually turns the teeth into grey or purple in colour. Root canal treatment or extraction of the tooth is then advised by the veterinarian surgeons.
Oral masses
Oral masses are small eruptions on the gums commonly known as “tumours” which can be benign or malignant in nature. If detected on time, it can be treated otherwise it may lead to terrible damage. Some of the common malignant masses are squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and fibrosarcoma.
Jaw fracture
Fractures in the jaws can be a result of trauma or secondary to extensive bone loss due to any periodontal disease. CT scan and dental radiographs help evaluate trauma or any other cause related to it to plan its treatment. There are several techniques of treatment while maintaining the natural alignment of the teeth.
Cavities
Cavities are found on the flat occlusal surface of the molars in dogs which are brown or black in colour. At the initial stage, cavities can be treated with filling but if it has infected the pulp canal then root canal or tooth extraction treatment is required.
Teeth fracture
Constant chewing on cow hooves, nylon toys, antlers, marrow bones, rocks etc. may cause fracture of the tooth. The entry of bacteria becomes easy due to the pulp exposure on the fractured tooth. Various treatments like tooth extraction, root canal or placing a crown on the tooth as recommended by the vets.
Why use Dental Chews?
Since dogs love to wag their tail and not their toothbrushes, brushing on a regular basis becomes a tough task for any parent. Often, pet parents need to look for a healthy alternative like dental chews to prevent their furball from experiencing periodontal symptoms. Dental treats or chews for puppies are not only a tasty snack but also keep their teeth and gums healthy while providing a number of other benefits. Treats can be used as a reward to the puppies from their pet parents for good manners and appropriate behaviour or it can be included as a supplement to your pooch’s daily meals.
Puppy teething treats are available in an assortment of varieties, shapes, flavours and sizes like Dogsee’s natural dog chews which makes it easy to find the right puppy treats that your furball would love! Most small-sized and soft treats can be quickly finished by your fur buddies but the long and extra-hard ones require longer chew time which in turn helps maintain your pup’s dental health and also keeps him/her engaged.
Provide your dog with a dental chew and enjoy the following benefits:
Eliminate stinky breath
Puppies having a slightly unpleasant breath is not an uncommon thing. This is due to the bacteria build-up in the mouth. Regular tooth brushing is a great way to prevent it but since dogs do not love it and it’s a difficult job on an everyday basis. Hence puppy chews are one of the most popular forms of treats that can help prevent mouth odours. Most dental treats consist of breath fresheners and are specially formulated to eradicate bad breath. Dental chews that are hard and big take a lot of chewing time helps remove unwanted substances from the puppy’s teeth. If the problem of bad breath persists, then it may also lead to gastrointestinal problems and if further left untreated, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream and cause heart problems.
Reduction of plaque & tartar
Dogs who have an active chewing habit, encounter less build-up of plaque in their mouth. Some dog dental treats help reduce plaque by 70%. Therefore, providing your pets with the correct dental chew will not only control the problems of plaque and tartar but will also make their jaws strong and keep them busy.
Convenient to carry
In today’s generation, people hardly have any personal time and are always in a rush. Due to this hectic lifestyle, strict work schedules and time constraints, it is not always possible to brush your pet’s teeth regularly or take him to a vet for minor issues. However, your pet’s oral hygiene is also something that cannot be neglected, there’s Dogsee dental chew to the rescue! It is handy, 100% natural, chemical-free and grain-free. It does not have added artificial colours or preservatives and has positive effects on your pup’s dental health. This is why a large number of pet parents prefer dog chews as they are convenient to carry while travelling with a pet and while coping up with their busy schedules.
How do Dog Chews function?
When dogs and puppies chew or gnaw for long periods of time, the stimulation of salivary glands take place and there is an increased amount of saliva production that is released in the mouth. The saliva consists of antibacterial properties which when combined with the scrubbing effect from the dog chew can help control plaque and tartar as well as prevent further development of severe periodontal diseases.
How often should dogs have Dental Chews?
Ideally, a dog should be given dental chews for chewing for at least 30 minutes every day. This helps prevent the accumulation of large amounts of plaque and the plaque hardening into tartar.
It is always wise to do your bit of research when it comes to choosing dental chews for your pup. Dental chews should be chosen according to the size and age of dogs. Chews that can be eaten too fast and with very little effort prove to be ineffective for the dog. Treats and chews from Dogsee are vet-recommended and available according to different life stages, breed size, benefits and product line. These chews are very long-lasting and popular amongst pooches and help remove tartar, plaque and bad breath effectively. However, always remember that while treats and chews help maintain oral health to a great extent, it should never be replaced with frequent brushing!
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