How to Prevent Tooth Decay: What Wild Dogs Know that Your Dog doesn’t!

I’ve never seen a stray dog with a toothbrush, have you?! Yet, by their growl or bark, you can tell they have plenty of teeth in tact. Why? Surprising, in their natural state, dogs do not develop calculus (tartar) because they pretty much swallow their food whole. There’s not much time for it to leave deposits on their teeth, and the teeth remain razor sharp as a result of them hunting, ripping and devouring their food. In addition to what they eat and the way they eat it, you’ll also find that they keep their outside teeth clean by gnawing on bones. Using their side teeth in a sliding motion along the bone, any residue left from eating is scraped off. Yes, they are intuitively created to take care of their own hygiene.

The Domesticated Difference

Because domesticated animals eat in a different way and are not eating their "natural" diet, dogs and their owners must adapt to meet their dental needs. Instead of fending for themselves, pets are often times fed a variety of processed meat products, which are soft and tend to accumulate on the outside of the teeth in places that cannot easily be cleaned (like humans do with a swish of the tongue). Over time, the lodged food can result in the build up of tartar, bacteria, bad breath, gum disease and even other health issues, as the untreated bacteria that begins in the mouth spreads to other areas like the kidneys, heart and lungs.

Here’s what you can do about it!

Just like humans, dogs need routine dental care. Here are some simple steps to prevent tooth decay in your dog.

Daily: The type of food your dog eats plays a big role in dental care. Natural, dry dog food is your first defense in reducing the amount of build-up and decay on the teeth. Also, it’s best to serve food at room temperature. Foods that are too hot or too cold tend to cause damage to their teeth.

Weekly: Regularly give your dog a bone! He’ll love it and it is the most natural way to prevent tooth decay. However, be sure that it is too big to be swallowed, raw (cooked bones can splinter and cause digestive problems), and not frozen (which might be too hard and break teeth). If your pet is not accustomed to bones, you can always brush your dog’s teeth twice a week using a toothbrush and toothpaste especially formulated for dogs. Similar to chewing a bone, dog dental chews are also an easy way to keep teeth clean. You’ll find that these dog grooming supplies will improve hygiene and appearance and make protecting your dog’s teeth much easier.

Annually: Be sure to have an annual check up with your veterinarian for a deep cleaning. By following the daily and weekly regimen, you can reduce the chances of your pet having major dental work or surgery.