The Best Foods to Clean Dogs Teeth
You have probably heard that you need to keep your dog’s teeth healthy, but do you know why? Dogs’ health is related to their teeth. Dental disease is the most common medical problem in dogs. Learn everything about this common problem in dogs and read on.
It would be best to brush your dog’s teeth to keep them clean. It is essential because they can get a disease if they don’t have clean teeth. Infections can make your dog sick and also affect its whole body.
Dental Health
How often should you check your dog’s teeth and gums? Most dog owners don’t do it often, but it’s OK if you don’t.
However, it does not preclude you from brushing your dog’s teeth. It would help if you did it. By checking your dog’s teeth and gums, you can save your dog’s life. Did you know that almost 80% of dogs suffer from severe dental pathology?
Inside your dog’s mouth, some bacteria live just like in humans. The mouth is a moist and warm place perfect for bacteria. Plus, they can survive there for a long time without being noticed. So teeth are a great way to check your dog’s health state. The dog’s normal microbial flora gets out of balance in this case.
Your dog’s health is essential to your veterinarian. They always look at your dog’s teeth when figuring out what is wrong with them. Good oral health is necessary for keeping your dog healthy in general.
What can you do to make your dog’s teeth healthy and shiny for a while? Keep an eye on what they’re eating, and ensure they’re getting all the essential nutrition. In addition, you should check their teeth and gums regularly.
Dental Health And Nutrition
Food is essential for both people and dogs. Proper Diet and nutrition can help dogs stay healthy, and it is necessary for their dental health.
Many pet owners think that kibble is great for their dog’s dental health. But this isn’t always the case. Kibble doesn’t require enough chewing, and it also doesn’t promote cleaner teeth. It’s essential to think about the dog’s overall health, not just their teeth.
This myth comes from the belief that tartar is the best indicator of oral disease. But, scientists now know that gingivitis is a more precise indicator of the level of oral infection. It’s not just about clean teeth.
Kibble is a heavily processed type of food. This process can create chemicals that are harmful to your dog’s health. These chemicals can cause inflammation and cancer. So, it is essential not to give your dog kibble for their health and teeth.
Top 5 Best Foods For Your Dog’s Teeth
Having strong teeth reflects how healthy your dog’s immune system is. It also means that your dog is in good shape. It would help if you fed your dog a high-quality diet made from natural ingredients and whole meats. The Diet should also include other food, like herbs and supplements. Test different foods and track your dog’s teeth every day to see how his body reacts to them.
1. Bones
Bones can provide your dog with the necessary calcium for strong bones and teeth. Raw meat and bones can help clean your dog’s teeth naturally. Chewing on a bone can also help prevent tartar build-up, leading to gum inflammation.
Raw bones have enzymes and probiotics to stop harmful bacteria in dogs’ mouths. It is essential to stay on top of this topic and learn how to give your dog raw meat.
If you choose to give your dog bones, make sure you give them raw bones instead of cooked bones. Cooked bones can break teeth, and they can also cause splinters that can damage the intestines.
Overall, a big strong bone will clean your teeth like any other toy. The best bones are usually from cows. However, avoid smaller bones because they might break off and get stuck in your teeth. Scientists are divided about this subject, so the best way to find out what is best for your pet is to talk with your veterinarian.
2. Cranberries
Cranberries have biologically active compounds, including phenolic acids and condensed tannins. Recent studies show that pure cranberry juice may be decisive for fighting bladder infections.
As it turns out, cranberries contain substances beneficial for dental plaque formation. They even have ingredients that help prevent bacteria from sticking to surfaces.
Cranberries and their special ingredients are connected with a unique trait in cranberry juice – a high molecular weight non-dialysable material (NDM). This material can reverse and inhibit the co-aggregation of certain oral bacteria that might be responsible for dental plaque. Non-dialysable material(NDM) is also seen:
- blueberries
- raspberries
- mangos
- plums
- peaches
3. Wild Strawberry (Fragaria Vesca)
Dogs love sweets, commercial and natural ones. However, it is always better to give them natural snacks. Commercial snacks (especially those for humans) come with unhealthy sugar for dogs.
Too much sugar can lead to health problems. However, moderate amounts of natural sugar found in fruits and seeds can improve certain health conditions because of the acids it contains. The fruit acids help clean teeth while the roots act as an abrasive.
Make sure you give your dog a small bite of strawberries. If the dog doesn’t have any side effects, like diarrhea or skin irritation, you can reward the dog every day.
4. Parsley
It is something you can find in every kitchen. After all, no kitchen is complete without parsley. On the other hand, were you aware that even if your dog consumes a little bit of parsley, it won’t become sick? Parsley is one of the most concentrated food sources on the planet. Thanks to its antimicrobial properties, it’s extremely popular as a breath freshener in the human world.
Parsley is an excellent addition to your dog’s diet. You can slice fresh parsley and mix it with your dog’s food every day. Parsley is beneficial for dogs, and you can give it to them in different forms – fresh, dried, or as a cold tea. Parsley is easily and quickly absorbed by the body when eaten regularly.
5. Fennel
This close relative to parsley has some excellent rental properties. Fennel is very rich in vitamin C, which helps fight inflammation and freshens breath. It can help dogs protect their liver and fight gingivitis.
This vegetable is rich in flavonoids, like rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol glycosides. You can serve fennel to your puppy, especially if it has gas problems. Next to vitamin C, fennel contains significant iron, calcium, and potassium.
Remember that using this fruit and vegetable will not make your dog’s teeth healthy overnight. You need to give it to your dog every day and have a routine that includes good dental hygiene.
Create A 5-Step Easy Routine
Now that you know what other food you can include in your dog’s diet, you should take steps on how to do this. The first step is to have a daily practice of adding one fruit or vegetable that is good for your dog’s teeth.
You can start by serving your dog this food once a week. However, it would be best if you continued to do this food every day. Try to help him with this food as often as possible if you can’t. Remember that sometimes this isn’t enough, and your dog might still have some dental problems. Don’t give up on your efforts to improve your dog’s dental health. It would help if you worked harder.
Easy Five Steps To Check Your Dog’s Teeth
Here are five simple steps to help keep your dog’s teeth healthy:
- The Breath Test – Sniff your dog’s breath once a day. Yes, it might not smell the best, but if his breath smells bad and he isn’t eating well, it might mean that he is sick. Make sure to talk to your veterinarian about it.
- Check The Gums – check your dog’s gum color to see if they are healthy. Healthy gums are pink, never red or white. If you notice any other stains, visit the vet. You can also check their gum color once a week.
- Have Regular Vet Check-Ups – this is a meaningful way to check your dog’s overall health. You can also get help from experts if you need it.
- Improve Diet – adding fruit or vegetables to your regular food is an excellent way to get your nutrients. You can either eat them whole or slice them up and mix them in.
- Dog’s Toothbrushing Kit – you can create a tooth brushing kit for your dog by buying a soft toothbrush, soft gauze, and toothpaste made specifically for dogs at a pet store or local market. If you prefer to use homemade items, you can mix baking soda and water. NEVER use human toothpaste on your dog. You can ask your vet for recommendations on special mouthwashes.
Prevention
One of the best ways to take care of your teeth is to prevent any problems from happening. It’s better than the alternative, but you can do it if you have a plan and are willing to stick to it. After all, your canine’s health is essential, and you probably knew that before getting it. However, it can’t hurt to be reminded every once.
The best way to prevent teeth problems in your dog is to make sure he has a well-balanced diet that includes meat. Give him chew toys and treats that help keep his teeth clean. Dogs need to exercise their teeth, so make sure he gets plenty of playtimes.
The toys can help you keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. Adding fruit like cranberries as a treat or mixing food with parsley can improve health overall. Brushing your dog’s teeth is good, but make sure you do it properly with the suitable kit.
You can help your dog’s teeth by looking at their upper lip every day. If you see any tartar, you should try to improve their Diet and brush their teeth. If the tartar doesn’t go away and the dog’s breath becomes terrible, you should contact your veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
Dogs need good oral hygiene. They solve this by eating grass and various fruits and vegetables in nature. However, if they are in the wilderness, they might eat something not good. It is because dogs are curious and like to try new things.
You are lucky because you can take care of your dog’s needs. You can give good food to your dog and help keep the teeth clean. Brushing your dog’s teeth is essential. The good news is that giving your dog the appropriate diet can help protect their teeth.
Adding parsley and cranberries to your dog’s regular diet will make them smile and have shiny teeth.
Read more: What Is Fresh Pet Food and Is It Actually Better?
Frequently Asked Questions About Foods That Clean Dogs Teeth
Brushing your dog’s teeth every day with a dog toothbrush and toothpaste designed for canines is the best approach to eradicate plaque. If you only brush your dog’s teeth now and then, plaque will build up. However, if you brush their teeth regularly, their teeth and mouths will stay healthy.
You can use a finger toothbrush to remove tartar from your dog’s teeth. However, more tartar and plaque have built up under your dog’s gum line. It will require some training for your dog to tolerate at first.
Raw carrots are a good treat for your dog because they help clean your dog’s teeth and gums. Carrots also have a low-calorie content, which is helpful when you are training your dog.
Apples are high in fiber and vitamins A and C, making them an excellent supplement to your dog’s diet. They also help to clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath! However, you should remove the core and seeds from the apple before giving them to your dog.
It’s never too late to begin brushing your dog’s teeth, no matter how old they are. However, suppose your dog has never had a professional dental cleaning. They may have a lot of tartar on their teeth that brushing alone won’t get rid of. In this case, you’ll need to have them professionally cleaned.
If plaque isn’t removed, it will harden into tartar within a few days. Tartar is a rough, brown deposit that forms on teeth. If the tartar isn’t removed, gum disease can progress more quickly.
Coconut oil can work as toothpaste for dogs. It can also make their teeth white. Brushing your dog’s teeth is very easy. Apply the coconut oil to a baby’s toothbrush or your finger and brush in a circular motion.
If you think your dog might have dental disease, take him to the veterinarian. They will likely need to clean his teeth first. It will get rid of the tartar and plaque that has built up. After that, you can start brushing his teeth every day with a baby toothbrush and coconut oil.
