Dental Care

Thought humans were the only one who needed dental attention? Dogs need regular dental care too!

Here are some things you can do to keep your dogs’ teeth healthy:

• Clean your puppy's teeth 2 or 3 times a week. In a cup of water, pour a teaspoon of baking soda and with this solution, gently rub the puppy's teeth with a soft cloth.
• When your dog gets his or her adult teeth, brush them periodically with a special animal toothpaste and toothbrush. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans, because pets swallow rather than spit out the preparation and this will cause stomach upset.
• Have your dog's teeth examined at least once a year by a qualified veterinarian.
• Give your pet appropriate toys to prevent teeth fractures.

Here are some problems that may occur if a dog doesn’t receive a regular ‘check-up’:

Problems		Effects
Tartar build-up		bad breath irritation and possible infection of gums eventual loss of teeth
Cavity or tooth fracture		pain destruction de la dent blood in the saliva
Impacted baby teeth		displacement of other teeth difficulty in chewing

Did you know.?
.that puppies have 28 deciduous (temporary) teeth and adult dogs have 42 permanent teeth. Deciduous or "milk" teeth begin to appear when a puppy is about 4 weeks of age, and are lost gradually between 14 and 30 weeks of age. During this time, puppies may eat slightly less and chew more. Hard rubber or rawhide toys made especially for dogs are a good investment to help prevent household damage during this time.