You may have ever noticed some of the main symptoms of tartar on teeth in your dog. Some of them are bad breath, not wanting to chew hard food or the appearance of spots. If your pet has accumulated tartar, do not wait to eliminate it or it will lead to more serious diseases.
It is essential that you go to the vet for a checkup, but you can also help your dog at home if his case is not serious. Discover how to remove tartar in dogs step by step, some home remedies and how to prevent it . We started!
Consequences of tartar in dogs
Tartar consists of solidified bacteria and debris stones, just like humans. It tends to accumulate in the spaces between the teeth and the gums, as well as in those between the teeth themselves and, little by little, it spreads until it completely covers them. It can cause damage and disease to the entire oral cavity and adjacent structures.
When these solid plaques have already formed it is more difficult to remove them at home naturally, so it is always recommended to prevent the problem and, in case they appear anyway, go to the vet for treatment. The best thing for tartar in dogs is to remove it with proper oral hygiene .
The dog breeds prone to having tartar more easily and more frequently are:
- Toy and small breeds. The poor quality of your enamel and the small size of your teeth, as well as the proximity between them, makes it harder to clean your mouth and plaque builds up faster.
- Brachycephalic breeds. These dogs have a flat muzzle and teeth close together due to the shape of their jaw, complicating their oral hygiene.
- Adult and elderly dogs. From the age of five, but especially the elderly, they tend to accumulate more bacterial plaque and produce tartar on the teeth more quickly.
Finally, the consequences of tartar in dogs are diverse, so it is convenient to know them to take into account the importance of its prevention:
- Bad breath or halitosis
- Gingivitis
- Periodontal disease, an infection that affects the entire mouth
- Wounds or sores in the mouth
- Loss of teeth
- Dental abscesses that can damage the eyes and nose
- Intestinal diseases
- Renal insufficiency
- Liver disorders
- Heart problems
How to remove tartar from dog teeth
Cleaning tartar in dogs is as simple as brushing their mouth correctly, there are also products for tartar in dogs that will help you with this task. However, they help to reduce their progress and facilitate the veterinarian’s task in removing tartar from the teeth, but they will not eliminate it completely.
Some of these products for dog tartar are: mouthwashes such as chlorhexidine, anti-plaque food supplements, toothpastes suitable for dogs and special treats to treat this problem. Follow these steps to clean your pet’s teeth:
- Get your dog used to this cleaning from puppyhood so that he is not afraid of it. Do this progressively over several daysuntil you feel comfortable with the situation.
- Use toothpaste for dogs, those for people can be very toxic, especially those that contain fluoride. Pick one that tastes nice to him.
- Choose a brush suitable forthe size of your mouth and teeth.
- Moisten the brush, add the paste and start brushing your partner’s teeth as you do yours, making gentle circles and always in favor of the gums.
- Do not leave any area uncleaned and insist where there is more accumulated tartar.
- When finished, allow your friend to rinse well by drinking plenty of water.
- Finally, apply a little chlorhexidine in spray or gel, it will soothe the gums, prevent infections and soften the tartar that will gradually disappear.
Toothpaste and toothbrush for dogs
Buy on Amazon
Do this cleaning of tartar on the teeth every day until you notice that it improves, but if it does not do it or worsens even using the natural remedies that we offer you below, it will be time to visit the vet.
Products for dog tartar
The best home remedies for tartar in dogs, which also serve both to prevent and to eliminate or help soften plaque, are the following:
- Sodium bicarbonate. Mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a large glass of water and wet the brush with this mixture to clean your dog’s teeth daily.
- Probiotic. They are ideal for preventing digestive problems, as they will help the healthy bacteria in the dog’s body have better health and can help fight plaque.
- Carrots. They are a perfect reward for cleaning teeth because, when biting them, they scratch the dental surface helping to clean it. In addition, they provide essential vitamins, minerals and fibers to combat this problem.
- Apple cider vinegar. Helps loosen plaque and remove tartar from teeth. Add it to your furry’s water or use it on the brush when cleaning their teeth for a few days.
Apart from these products for dog tartar, offer him adequate food, treats and other products to prevent the formation of bacterial plaque, give him special toys to clean his teeth, such as rope or cloth … And at the first sign of problems in the mouth as a result of tartar on the teeth, go to a specialist right away.
