Bites, Bones, & Brushing

Supporting your pet’s dental health, naturally.

In honour of Pet Dental Health Month (February), we are going to investigate the causes, signs, and tools for prevention of periodontal disease in our pets. It’s not something that most pet parents thing about regularly, unless it’s time for an expensive vet visit for a dental cleaning. The health of our pet’s teeth and mouth should be considered weekly, or daily, as a way to reduce the need for expensive dental procedures and improve their overall health.

Diet plays the most crucial role in maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

Processed pet foods are often high in starches and carbohydrates that turn into sugars. These sugars are a food source for the mouth bacteria, which contribute to plaque growth and buildup, resulting and bad breath and potentially a host of other more serious symptoms.

There are three main enzymes responsible for starting the digestion process in the mouth. Protease breaks down proteins, lipase begins the digestion of fats and amylase is the champion of breaking down carbohydrates. As carnivores, with a very minimal need for carbohydrates, dogs don’t produce amylase in their mouth. As a result, the bacteria thrive when a pet’s diet is carb-heavy, with an unending food source.

As the number one defense against plaque growth, raw meat-based diets are naturally very low in carbohydrates. The bad bacteria lose their food source, resulting in minimal buildup.

Another defender of oral health, for dogs that eat a raw diet – bones! Offering raw chew or meal bones is one of the best and most natural ways to maintain oral hygiene. The mechanical action of gnawing and crunching scrapes away plaque and tartar buildup, and stimulates saliva production, which helps neutralize bacteria. One study found tartar can be reduced by up to 50% in a dog’s mouth by chewing on bones and that number grows to 80% after just two weeks.

It’s important to always select a bone that is suitable for your pet and monitor all bone-chewing sessions. When in doubt, size up.

A complete dental health care plan also includes brushing.

While diet is the primary way to keep teeth and gums disease-free, routine brushing can provide extra benefit, and most dogs can learn to love the routine! A toothbrush can get into areas of the mouth that might not be reached during bone chewing. We recommend Legendary Canine Tooth Powder. It contains all natural ingredients: bentonite clay that has antibacterial properties, baking soda to polish teeth and neutralize odors and essential oil leaving your dog’s breath peppermint-fresh.

For pups that don’t instantly approve of brushing, it’s important to select a soft-bristled brush and to introduce it gradually, letting them sniff and lick the brush. Brush gently and gradually in short introductory sessions until your dog gets more comfortable with the idea. Lots of praise and a reward at the end are certain to make the experience a positive one.

Clean and healthy teeth benefit the whole body.

Clean teeth and fresh breath are a huge benefit to pet parents but devoting time and effort to their dental care greatly benefits overall health and therefore longevity.

Heart disease (bacterial endocarditis) is a serious condition caused by plaque and bacteria from a dog's teeth that has travelled through the bloodstream to the heart. It can damage the heart and even cause heart failure. Mouth bacteria can also travel elsewhere in the body damaging other organs like the liver and kidneys.

Healthy begins on the inside. When teeth are kept clean, chewing, eating, and digestion aren’t impeded by a high bacterial load or cracked teeth, it becomes evident on the outside with a healthy skin and coat and increased longevity.

Common symptoms shouldn’t be ignored.

Veterinarians report that more than 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some element of periodontal disease – being one of the most common veterinary health concerns. Teeth that look clean can harbour disease-causing plaque that hides above the gum-line can’t be seen without a professional exam. The bad breath that accompanies this bacteria, is often ignored by pet parents, assuming it’s normal “dog breath”. Though there might be some truth here, if your dog’s breath is intolerable, or accompanied by other symptoms like inflamed or bleeding gums, excessive drooling or abnormal mouth discharge, or unexplained weight loss, a veterinary exam is most definitely needed.

An ounce of prevention

A proactive approach to dental care can make all the difference in your pet’s long-term health and happiness. By incorporating a raw diet, offering appropriate chew bones, and establishing a brushing routine, you can help prevent periodontal disease and avoid costly dental procedures. Prioritizing oral health isn’t just about fresh breath—it’s about protecting your pet from serious health risks that start in the mouth and affect the entire body. This Pet Dental Health Month, take the opportunity to assess and improve your pet’s dental care routine—it’s a small effort that leads to a lifetime of benefits!