The Importance of Dental Care for Aging Dogs
Older dogs need regular dental care as much as pooches in any other stage of life. Regular brushing, dental checkups at your vet's office, and a balanced diet are essential for maintaining your dog's dental health as they age.
Without proper dental care, plaque can develop on your dog's teeth and build up into tartar. Eventually, this will lead to periodontal disease (gum disease). With this inflammatory infection, bacteria attack the gums, bone tissue, and ligaments that support the teeth. This can cause pain, lead to tooth loss, and interfere with your dog's ability to eat.
Left untreated, bacteria from the infection can enter your dog's bloodstream and trigger life-threatening complications in their vital organs such as liver, kidney, and heart disease.
Giving Your Senior Dog the Dental Care They Need
The good news is that gum disease in dogs is entirely preventable. Here are some tips on how to care for your senior dog's teeth:
- Feed your dog a well-balanced, meat-based diet to support a healthy mouth environment and prevent the growth of disease-causing bacteria.
- Offer your dog chew toys that can clean away plaque and debris from their teeth as they chew.
- Brush your dog's teeth on a daily basis.
- Don't allow your dog to chew on real bones, since they are hard and can break teeth.
- When you brush their teeth, check their mouth for any signs of inflammation or redness.
- Start giving dental care early in your puppy's life and bring your dog to your vet for regular dental checkups as they age.
- Schedule routine professional dental cleanings with your vet to keep your dog's mouth clean and healthy.
- Contact your vet and book an appointment if you notice any signs of symptoms such as redness, smelly breath, or excessive drooling.
At-Home Dental Care Practices to Keep Your Dog's Mouth Healthy
There are a variety of measures you can take to help keep your senior dog's teeth clean while at home. Brushing their teeth daily is one of the easiest ways to keep their teeth and gums clean.
How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth
Our vets recommend introducing a daily tooth-brushing routine for dogs of all ages. Particularly for older dogs, daily teeth brushing are an important element of their at-home dental care routine. Here are some specific steps to take to help your dog get used to having their teeth brushed and make the process easier:
- You may want to have a bowl of chicken soup on hand to dip your finger into, then rub it on your dog's gums.
- Wrap your finger in wet gauze and gently rub your dog's teeth and gum line in a circular motion.
- Use a toothpaste designed especially for dogs (look for chicken and other dog-friendly flavors your pup will love). Human toothpaste may contain ingredients like xylitol that can harm your pooch.
- Use a dog toothbrush. Soft-bristled toothbrushes made especially for dogs will help you reach tight crevices in your pup's mouth. Finger brushes may be a good option for smaller dogs. Let your dog lick the toothpaste and become familiar with the brush before attempting to clean their teeth.
- Sit slightly to one side of your dog's body and gently lift his lips to expose his teeth and gums.
- Place the toothbrush on your dog's teeth at a 45-degree angle towards the gum line
- Brush firmly but gently in a circular motion, making your way from the front to the back on the outside of the teeth.
- Try to reach the insides of their teeth as best as possible, but don't worry if you aren't able to be as thorough in this area. Your dog's tongue is designed to help clean these areas.
- Take a break after you're able to brush a few teeth.
- Slowly increase the number of teeth you brush during each session until your dog can manage a full tooth-brushing in one sitting without issue.
Staying calm while you're cleaning your dog's teeth is key, as our pups can easily read and mirror our emotions. He may become anxious if he feels you are rushing or becoming stressed and resist having his teeth brushed.
Offer your dog a treat or fun toy after you are finished to reward them for their patience and help them develop a positive association with having their teeth brushed.
Professional Dental Services in Denver
While routine pet dental care is critical to your dog's oral and overall health, many pets don't get the oral hygiene care they need to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
To help keep your pup's mouth clean and healthy, we provide complete dental care, from exams for your senior dog, dental cleanings and polishing, to dental X-rays and surgeries. We are also passionate about educating pet owners about pet dental health and home health dental care.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.