Why dental care is so important for dogs
The dog's teeth consist of 42 teeth - just like the wolf's - and have hardly changed in three million years of evolution. At the age of four to six weeks, puppies get their milk teeth, which initially consist of only 28 teeth.
The change of teeth then takes place between three and a half and four months and is usually completed by the age of six months. Most dog breeds have a so-called scissor bite, in which the upper incisors overlap the lower row of teeth. A special feature of the dog's teeth is that the dog hardly chews with the jaw joint, but that the back teeth act like scissors. The last premolar of the upper jaw and the first molar of the lower jaw form a unit that serves to cut up meat. The canine and fang teeth are mainly intended for biting into prey.
Healthy teeth and a strong jaw are essential for the health and quality of life of dogs. But just like us humans, our pets can also develop dental problems that are anything but harmless. Untreated tartar is considered to be the cause of numerous dental, mouth and jaw diseases. It forms the ideal breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. If bacteria get into the organism, it can cause damage to the liver, kidneys or heart.
Unfortunately, most dogs are affected by tartar over the course of their lives. It is important that you act as soon as you discover tartar on your pet, as this will prevent most of the resulting dangers.
In order to be able to detect tartar early, you need to check your dog's teeth regularly. It is best to get your furry friend used to this procedure from a young age. If the teeth are surrounded by a solid, yellowish to brownish mass that cannot be removed even with careful treatment with a dental finger cot, it is most likely tartar. In this case, unfortunately, the only solution is to go to the vet, who will remove the tartar under anesthesia. If you don't do this, you risk your dog developing gingivitis and possibly periodontitis later on.
One indication that there is something wrong with your dog's teeth is bad breath: if this persists for a certain period of time, you should definitely have the vet take a closer look at your furry friend's teeth.
To avoid the need for treatment in the first place, you can prevent it by taking regular dental care. You should therefore get your dog used to brushing its teeth early on.
Special toothpastes such as the Lila Dent toothpaste in combination with the tooth fingerling from our shop are the perfect tools for cleaning your furry friend's teeth. Toothpastes for humans are not suitable for cleaning a dog's teeth as they contain substances that are incompatible with dogs. You should also let your pet chew lots of hard things, such as chewing bones made from cow's scalp, chewing ears or special dental care sticks.
