Dog Dental Health

24 Nov

We are going to look at Emmi Pet ultrasound teeth cleaning, which we offer at Daisy Mae’s Dog Grooming. We are also looking into what you can be doing at home to help with dental care and the benefits of good dental care for dogs.

It is estimated by the time they are two years old 80% of dogs begin to show signs of oral disease.

Dental problems are very common to dogs and many owners often miss the fact that their dog suffers from painful diseases of the teeth. Dogs are often affected by tartar and painful gingivitis; therefore, preventative care is a must. The dental care of the dog should be as important to you as your own.

For healthy dog teeth you should start with prevented dental care already at puppy age, so the animal is used to the procedure from the beginning. Reward the desired behaviour with treats and affection. In this way, you lay the foundation for healthy dog teeth and save your beloved pet possibly a lengthy treatment at the vet. The regular scheduled visit at the vet is also a necessary and important part of the care routine to detect possible dental problems early and treat them if necessary.

How do I get my dog used to having their teeth brushed?

Begin as soon as possible, ideally puppy age so that they can get used to the procedure early. If you want to get an older dog used to toothbrush, you need more patience and rewards. In dogs, it makes sense to combine the brushing with a specific command, so that the dog immediately knows what will happen next. For example, the term “teeth” is suitable for this purpose. Slowly guide your dog to brushing his teeth and give him plenty of time for each step. It is also important to reinforce desired behaviour with much praise and rewards.

Before you can brush your dog's teeth properly the dog must get used to toothpaste. Spread a small amount of toothpaste on a freshly washed finger and let the dog lick it off. This way the dog gets to know the taste of the toothpaste. Then you can gently rub the toothpaste on the dog's teeth. The next step is getting used to the toothbrush. Give the dog the opportunity to familiarize itself with the brush.

Only when the animal willingly opens its mouth and lets itself be touched there, as well as getting used to toothpaste and toothbrush, you can start to brush your dog's teeth. Perform gentle massaging movements from the tooth tip to gum line. It's best to start with the front fangs and slowly work your way backwards. Make sure that you do not exert too much pressure and thereby injure the sensitive gums. Over time, when you brush your teeth, both your and your dog's routine becomes routine and dental care becomes a matter of course. By routine dental cleaning you prevent diseases of the teeth and gums of your dog - and offer your pet the optimal care for its health.

Dental problems for dogs and humans are similar. Plaque can form on the teeth. After food intake, food remains in the mouth of the dogs, providing an optimal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. If this plaque is not removed by a comprehensive canine dental care, the plaque solidifies gradually by the interaction with individual salivary constituents to tartar. Painful gingivitis and periodontitis can develop as a result.

Which toothbrush to use at home?

A dog toothbrush will have extra soft brushes, which are also adapted to the dog's teeth. Most dog toothbrushes have a bristle head at one end, the same as a traditional human toothbrush. You can also get a dual ended dog toothbrush. The larger end you use for the front teeth and the smaller end for the back teeth.

You can also get a finger toothbrush for dogs which you put on your finger to brush your dog’s teeth. Unlike a manual toothbrush with a finger brush, you are less likely to accidentally injure the dog because you are closer to the teeth, and you can feel the gum line better. Especially for small dogs, for whom normal toothbrushes are usually too big, a finger toothbrush is a great alternative.

Which toothpaste?

To give your dog and his teeth the best possible care, it is important that you use a toothpaste specially designed for dogs when brushing their teeth. Because the active ingredients that contains toothpaste for humans are often harmful to dogs.

Chew sticks & toys for dental care for dogs

By feeding you can also contribute to the health of your dog. With food you can combine the pleasure of your dog with the useful. If you feed your dog high-quality food, it has plenty of opportunities for chewing. This supports the natural tooth attrition of the dog and strengthens the teeth. In addition, you can support the dog's dental care with special chewing sticks, such as, antlers, yakers, buffalo horns etc which provide a mechanical cleaning effect on the teeth.

Toys are also available that are qualified for dog canine care due to their shape, size & texture. Some products are even combinable with flavour to encourage chewing and clean the teeth while playing. In addition to high quality, the toy should match both the age and the size of the respective dog.

Ultrasound for dog teeth care

Why choose Emmi-Pet?

Emmi-Pet was the first ultrasonic toothbrush for animals available, which cleans the teeth of dogs thoroughly with no sound or motion. Because the electric toothbrush works with no noise, the toothbrush is also suitable for dogs refusing the traditional way. Ultrasonic tooth cleaning helps to effectively prevent gingivitis, periodontitis and calculus, mouth odour and tooth loss.

Tartar is an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause inflammation of the gums if you do not remove the calculus. It can even lead to gum decline, which in the worst case leads to the loss of teeth. It's best to avoid tartar by regularly cleaning the teeth with the emmi-pet ultrasonic dog toothbrush. This promises a gentle and effective dental care for your dog, so that periodontitis, mouth odour or chronic buccal disease are specifically prevented. The patented technology also prevents gingivitis.

The gentlest and at the same time deeply effective brushing method for the dog is the ultrasonic toothbrush, which looks like an electric toothbrush, but is completely silent and tolerated even by sensitive animals. Without mechanical brushing, you simply hold this toothbrush to your teeth and can remove tartar from the dog by applying ultrasound. At the same time, it avoids the dangerous periodontitis. Emmi-pet offers you an innovative and animal-friendly ultrasound technology, which specifically promotes the oral hygiene of your animal and prevents tartar as well.

The dental care of dogs succeeds even more effectively with the ultrasonic toothbrush Emmi-pet, which we offer at Daisy Mae’s Dog Grooming. The ultrasound generated by the brush produces millions of tiny bubbles that penetrate the smallest gaps where they implode, destroying plaque and bacteria. Also in the application, the innovative technology offers numerous advantages for your four-legged friend. As we’ve said before the Emmi-pet makes no sound or movement so is far more acceptable for the dog

Healthy teeth are important for dogs, especially for eating. Dental diseases can cause toothache and the dog stops eating. In addition, if the food is not chewed properly, the animal can no longer draw enough nutrients from the food. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can also be the result. It is therefore important that you provide your dog with dental care. Which includes regular brushing. But brushing your dog's teeth is often not easy, therefore, a top up with Emmi-pet whilst having your groom or as a stand alone appointment is a positive option.

Which dogs are at risk?

Especially the small breeds with the short snouts represent a special risk group. As these dogs increasingly pant, the teeth are no longer sufficiently cleansed by reduced salivation. In addition, these jaws are often jaw misaligned. There is no self-cleaning effect anymore. So, you should remove tartar regularly.

Ultrasonic Oral Care at Daisy Mae’s

We recommend a regular dental routine for you dog, and we are happy to offer a maintenance and protection plan in the salon. In addition, for the best oral health we recommend an at home routine in conjunction with our service and regular checks with your vet. We may require a consultation with you and your pet to assess the oral condition, suitability, acceptance and to discuss the best was forward for each individual pet.

This does not replace any veterinary treatment or advice.

Cost of Oral care offered at Daisy Mae’s Dogs – Grooming Salon

initial Treatment
£35

This appointment will be 30-45 minutes long and not part of a full groom. Depending on the condition of the teeth and the dog’s behaviour, this may take 1-5 sessions (most dogs require 1-2 sessions)

Maintenance Treatment
£10

This is, as it suggests, a maintenance treatment taking 10-15 minutes during your full groom appointment. This treatment is only done after your initial treatment is complete. Depending on your grooming schedule this treatment needs to be completed a minimum of 4 times a year to have the desired effect.

Teeth Cleaning Treatment
£20

The same as the maintenance treatment taking 10-15 minutes and is only done after your initial treatment is complete, but this is a stand-alone appointment and is not part of a full groom so can be booked independently.