Dog Mouth Problems

How Check Your Dogs Mouth

Luckily in the dog world, ‘doggy’ breath is not quite so unappealing as it is in the human world. We love our dog no matter what, but he sure does suffer from some undeniably stinky dog breath from time to time.

A dog with a clean and healthy mouth

A ‘doggy’ breath is natural, but if it is unbearable then your smelly dog might actually have an infection. Gently press against your dog’s gums with your finger to check if they are healthy. They should be a pink colour, or dark for dogs with black coats. Red gums, white gums or bleeding gums are not healthy. When you put pressure on your dog's gums they should turn pale, and then quickly return to their normal colour once you release the pressure.

A dog with healthy pink gums

Dogs can develop gum decay if chewed up food gets stuck at the bottom of their teeth. The food debris can cause infection, which may cause the gums to recede. The most obvious symptom is foul smelling breath. If you suspect that your dog is developing gum disease you will need to arrange an appointment with your vets, as gum disease can lead to further complications like tooth loss. Cleaning your dog’s teeth is the most effective method of preventing tooth decay and gum disease, so invest a couple of hours a week into brushing your dog’s teeth and gums.

The healthy pink gums of a dog

How To Clean Your Dog’s Teeth

If you want your dog to have a dazzling smile its important to keep his nashers squeaky clean. To keep your dog’s mouth healthy and to avoid gum disease you can brush your dog’s teeth regularly. You will need to introduce tooth brushing at an earlier age and continue on a regular basis so that it becomes a comfortable and enjoyable experience. Follow the same simple steps that you would take when brushing your own teeth, but you must only use toothpaste that is designed for dogs. Human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is poisonous to dogs.

A dog with healthy white teeth

Dental chews are an alternative that your dog will really enjoy. Most of them are designed in the shape of a cross and with an abrasive texture, which will remove plaque and leave your dog with not such a ‘doggy’ breath.