Why is Dog Dental Care so Important?

We all want to keep our pets as healthy as possible, and looking after your dog’s oral health is a big part of this. Dental disease is linked to liver, kidney and heart disease [1], as well as other health problems, so preventing oral health issues for your canine companion can have significant knock-on effects on their overall well-being.

If left unchecked, a thin, sticky layer of invisible plaque forms on the surfaces of the teeth. Within 24-48 hours plaque hardens into solid, yellow-brown tartar, due to the deposition of minerals from saliva. Tartar buildup on the tooth surfaces provides a home for bacteria, contributing to bad breath.

Gingivitis (with its telltale trio of red, sore and bleeding gums) is likely to follow as the body reacts to the increasing levels of tartar and bacteria. If left untreated, tooth loss eventually results as the supporting structures of the tooth are gradually destroyed.

Plaque can be removed quite easily by brushing the teeth, however tartar cannot be removed by brushing. Because plaque becomes tartar within a day or two of forming, you need to brush your pet’s teeth daily to be most effective [2]. This makes sense when we think about how we look after our own teeth; a dog’s teeth are very similar, and – being omnivores – a dog’s diet is not too dissimilar from ours, either.

Click here to read about how often should a dog be checked by a vet.

You also read about what shot does my dog need annually.

At Home Dental Care

Keeping your dog’s teeth clean at home is vitally important for maintaining good oral health, and by far the most effective way to achieve this is to mechanically remove plaque before tartar has a chance to form by bushing your dog’s teeth daily. Dental treats, dental chews and even dental diets will only make a small difference, by comparison. These additional dental aids should be considered an add-on, and not a replacement for brushing.

As well as being the most effective way to prevent plaque buildup and therefore tartar buildup, daily brushing also keeps your dog’s breath fresh – something every pet owner can appreciate!

Most dogs will tolerate daily brushing, if correctly introduced to it. When brushing your dog’s teeth, always use dog toothpaste and never human toothpaste, which can contain ingredients that are toxic to our furry friends. Focus around the gum line and brush using circular motions. Be sure to clean the inner and outer aspects of every tooth surface. A children’s toothbrush with soft bristles is recommended rather than a finger brush, as it tends to do a better job and greatly reduces the chances of your fingers accidentally getting nipped! Dog toothbrushes are also widely available.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Professional dental cleaning refers to scaling, which is a process anybody who has ever visited the human dental hygienist will be familiar with! A scaler is used to remove tartar from the teeth and gum line; a manual or an ultrasonic scaler may be used.

Some groomers offer scaling, however the procedure is incredibly risky when carried out on an awake dog. The slightest movement from your dog during scaling can result in the (very sharp) scaling instrument damaging your dog’s gums, tongue, soft palate or other soft tissues.

The metal blade of an ultrasonic scaler also becomes very hot during use, and water is constantly produced from the tip of the scaler to cool the blade down. When scaling is carried out at the vet’s office under general anesthesia (GA), a special throat pack is used to prevent your pet from inhaling any water into their airways. In an awake patient, water may accidentally be inhaled into the lungs. Water from the scaler will be contaminated with bacteria from your dog’s mouth, and so lung infection (pneumonia) can result.

If you take just one thing away from this article, take the advice that scaling should never be undertaken at the groomers; it should only ever be carried out by a veterinarian or registered veterinary nurse/technician under GA.

Dental Exam and Extractions

Only a qualified veterinary surgeon or veterinary nurse/technician can carry out a dental examination for your dog. To allow full probing and charting (a comprehensive tooth-by-tooth examination), and the taking of dental X-rays, general anesthesia will be necessary.

Dental treatment is then undertaken based on oral exam findings, for example, extraction of teeth with irreversibly advanced periodontal disease. Dental cleaning will need to be undertaken prior to removal of any teeth, to ensure a clean surgical field.

Pet Dental Products

As mentioned, daily tooth brushing to mechanically remove plaque before it has a chance to form tartar is by far the most effective way to prevent dental disease in dogs. Additional dental aids make a relatively small difference but may be worth considering for a pet who absolutely refuses to allow tooth brushing. Dental products can also be used as an add-on to daily tooth brushing, or to freshen breath.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council provides a list of accepted products for dogs. It’s recommended to check that products make the cut, before purchase.

Dog Toothbrush

o   Virbac C.E.T. Pet Toothbrush

Finger Toothbrush

o   Jasper 360º Dog Toothbrush

Dental Wipes

o   VETS BEST Clean Teeth Finger Pads

Disclaimer: please exercise extreme care not to get accidentally bitten by your dog, if you choose to use a finger toothbrush or finger pads in your dog’s mouth.

Dog Toothpaste

o   Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Dog & Cat Poultry Flavor Toothpaste

Dental Rinse/ Water Additives

o   Oxyfresh Dog & Cat Oral Hygiene Solution

Dental Food and Food Additives

o   ProDen PlaqueOff Powder Dog & Cat Supplement

Dog Dental Chews

o   Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews

Dental Toys

o   ARM AND HAMMERSuper Treadz Gorilla Toy For Dogs

What Should a Dog’s Teeth Look Like?

It’s highly advisable to inspect your dog’s mouth on a regular basis and to be vigilant for problems with your dog’s teeth and gums. Healthy teeth are white in appearance, without any chips, cracks, fractures or discoloration.

Your dog’s gums should be pink or black (or both), but never red. They should certainly never bleed. Your dog’s mouth should not have an unpleasant smell, where good dental health is being maintained.

How Often Should You Brush a Rottweilers Teeth?

By far the best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean and healthy is to brush your pet’s teeth daily; Rottweilers are no exception.

Brushing every other day is not as good, but will still go a long way to maintaining a dog’s dental health. Studies have shown that brushing less often than this is not as effective [2].

How Do You Clean a Rottweiler’s Teeth?

A Rottweiler’s teeth should be cleaned on a daily basis, as described above under ‘At Home Dental Care’.

It is strongly recommended to never use a finger toothbrush or finger wipes in a Rottweiler’s mouth due to their incredible bite strength, and the ever-present risk of your dog accidentally biting your fingers.  

Do Rottweilers Have Teeth Problems?

As a general rule, large and giant breed dogs such as Rottweilers tend to suffer with less dental issues and to develop progressive dental disease more slowly when compared to smaller breeds [3]. Of course, there will always be exceptions to this rule, so it’s still important to keep a close eye on things.

What are the Symptoms of Dental Disease in Dogs?

• Bad breath
• Red, sore, swollen or bleeding gums
• Tooth loss
• A hard, yellow-brown substance (tartar) present on the surfaces of teeth
• Swellings on the face or jaws, which may indicate dental abscesses; a common location for swelling associated with a tooth root abscess to occur is on the cheek, below the eye
• Bleeding from the mouth, or the presence of blood in your dog’s saliva
• Messy eating or dropping food
• Difficulty picking up food or toys
• Crying or yelping whilst eating
• Reluctance or refusal to eat
• Drooling excessively

Can Dental Chews Help Dog’s Teeth?

Whether or not dental chews can improve a dog’s oral health is a difficult question to answer based on the currently available research, not least because some of the (relatively few) studies which have been undertaken on this topic have been funded by chew manufacturers, and as such there is an intrinsic potential for bias in the results.

We do however have some promising evidence, at least. One study (undertaken in 2005) found that feeding a daily dental chew reduced gingivitis, plaque and tartar formation, but that the inclusion of an antimicrobial agent in the chew made no difference [4].

A more recent study showed that some dog chews may be able to slow the progression of dental disease by shifting the balance of oral bacteria in favor of more “good” bacteria…kind of like a mouth prebiotic! [5].

Conclusion? The jury’s still out, and every dental chew is different. Pick a chew from a manufacturer that has at least conducted research to back up their claims.

Is it Too Late to Brush Dogs Teeth?

 It’s never too late to start brushing your dog’s teeth, but in some cases where tartar buildup and/or advanced periodontal disease is present this may need to be addressed by a vet (and some teeth may need to be removed) before you can start brushing your pup’s teeth at home. Otherwise, brushing may not be effective and may cause pain.

Dental Diets for Dogs

Purina ProPlan Veterinary Diets DH Dental Health:

Purina ProPlan’s DH Dental Health formula is tailored to support your dog’s oral hygiene. Featuring a unique kibble design, it encourages chewing, helping reduce plaque and tartar buildup. This diet addresses dental issues at their core, promoting fresher breath and healthier gums, ultimately contributing to your pet’s overall well-being.

Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care:

Hill’s Prescription Diet t/d Dental Care is a specialized canine diet known for its dental benefits. Its innovative kibble shape and texture facilitate chewing, effectively minimizing dental problems like plaque and tartar. This prescription diet supports oral health, providing a path to a brighter smile and better gum health.

Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Dental Formula for Medium/Large Dogs:

Royal Canin’s Veterinary Diet Dental Formula is designed specifically for medium to large dogs. With its dental-focused kibble, it encourages chewing and reduces dental issues like tartar buildup. This formula plays a crucial role in maintaining oral hygiene, ensuring your dog’s dental health remains in top condition for a happier and healthier life.

Final Words on Dog Dental Care

Maintaining our pets’ oral health is integral to their overall well-being, with dental problems in dogs linked to serious conditions like heart, kidney, and liver disease. The process begins with invisible plaque forming on their teeth, which quickly hardens into tartar, fostering harmful bacteria and causing bad breath and gingivitis. Left untreated, this can lead to tooth loss.

Regular daily teeth brushing helps prevent plaque buildup, but once tartar forms, brushing alone is insufficient. Just as we care for our own teeth, dogs require daily brushing to effectively safeguard their oral health. This approach is essential, considering the similarities between canine and human dental needs and diets.

If you are interested in reading about dog food, read here for information on the best wet food for dogs and the best dry food for dogs.

Reference List:

[1] O’Neill et al. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Journal of Small Animal Practice. (2021)

[2] Harvey, C., Serfilippi, L. and Barnvos, D. Effect of Frequency of Brushing Teeth on Plaque and Calculus accumulation, and Gingivitis in Dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. (2015)

[3] Wallis et al. Association of periodontal disease with breed size, breed, weight, and age in pure-bred client-owned dogs in the United States. The Veterinary Journal (2021)

[4] Brown, W. Effective Periodontal Disease Control Using Dental Hygiene Chews. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. (2005)

[5] Ruparell et al. Effect of feeding a daily oral care chew on the composition of plaque microbiota in dogs. Research in Veterinary Science. (2020)