Prendre rendez-vous

Prendre rendez-vous
en clinique

S'agit-il d'une urgence?

Pour une urgence, veuillez nous contacter par téléphone.

Notre équipe communiquera avec vous dans un délai de 48h. Notez que le temps d’attente pour les rendez-vous est variable.

Your dog’s dental health

Good oral hygiene starts with dental care and dental food

Did you know that dental health plays a huge role in your dog’s general wellbeing? That’s right—healthy teeth make for a healthy dog! Give your pooch something to really smile about with a combination of at-home brushing, a dental diet, and professional care at your Globalvet clinic.

Get advice and learn about the benefits of adding specialty dental food to your dog’s diet.

Services en ligne

Take care of their teeth to prevent dental disease and complications

Dental disease is very common in dogs—85% will have tooth trouble by the age of one! How can you tell if your pup has an oral hygiene problem? There are a few telltale signs, including:

  • Bad breath
  • Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
  • Root canal exposure
  • Chewing on one side
  • Resistance to having their mouth handled
  • Weight loss or difficulty eating

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can point to more serious problems. Or your dog may show no signs at all, which is why an annual veterinary checkup is so important.

Breed, genetics, and age

Have a petite pup? You should know that small breeds like Yorkshires and Chihuahuas are more prone to developing dental disease. One reason is that larger dogs like Labradors chew more, and chewing can be a natural tooth cleanser. But be aware: While all that chewing means your large breed is less likely to develop gum disease, they may be more likely to fracture a tooth.

Breed is also a factor because there’s a genetic component to gum disease (periodontitis). Smaller breeds like Yorkshires, Bichon Maltese, and miniature poodles and certain large breeds like greyhounds are more predisposed.

Also keep in mind that because of the progressive nature of the disease, your older dog is more likely to suffer from the more advanced stages of periodontitis.

At-home and in-clinic care

As we said, oral hygiene is important to your dog’s overall health and wellbeing because it can prevent pain and discomfort and decrease the risk of dental disease that can lead to other health problems.

But how exactly do you take care of your precious pet’s teeth? It’s a team effort with a combination of at-home and professional dental care.

You should take your dog into the clinic for exams, scaling, polishing, and expert advice but also look after their teeth at home with regular brushing, toys, and a special diet. At the next checkup, ask your vet to examine your dog’s mouth and teeth and recommend a dental care plan.

Depending on what your vet finds, they may suggest a dental diet in addition to other strategies for cleaning and caring for your dog’s teeth and gums.

For more information, check out:

Boosting their oral hygiene regimen with a dental diet: Benefits and tips

Eliminating plaque
Reducing tartar
Preventing disease
Comprehensive care

Remove dental plaque before it hardens into tartar

The primary purpose of vet-approved dental dog food is to get rid of plaque before it has a chance to harden and turn into tartar. How does it work? Through mechanical abrasion (i.e., rubbing a surface via a natural mechanism like chewing). It’s the most effective way to remove plaque as soon as it forms on the surface of your dog’s teeth.

Dental care kibble tends to be bigger, with a special texture to promote more chewing and longer surface contact. Obviously these therapeutic foods are also formulated to deliver all the key nutrients your dog needs, but they do much, much more.

Fight tartar buildup

Plaque and the calcium in your dog’s saliva both contribute to the formation of tartar. Dental doggy food gets rid of some of the plaque through two mechanisms: by cleaning the teeth through chewing (see previous point) and by binding to calcium.

The sodium polyphosphate found in dental food binds to the calcium in your dog’s saliva so it can’t be used for tartar formation. The calcium gets released later on, in the intestine. This reduces tartar buildup and slows down the inflammation that is a hallmark of dental disease.

Stave off dental disease and complications

Bacteria around the roots of your dog’s teeth can enter the bloodstream, spread, and cause outbreaks of infection in other parts of the body.

 

Studies have shown that dogs with severe periodontal disease have more serious microscopic lesions in their kidneys, heart, and liver than dogs with less severe periodontitis.

 

You can help prevent periodontal disease in your dog by dishing out a dental diet and providing proper dental care to eliminate plaque and prevent tartar buildup. Prevention mitigates the risk of infection, which can cause further health complications.

Provide comprehensive care for your dog’s oral and overall health

Feeding your dog dental kibble is only one part of a multi-pronged approach to their dental health that includes daily brushing, veterinary care, etc.

You may want to incorporate other oral hygiene solutions found in your Globalvet clinic store, such as:

  • Antibacterial enzyme chew strips or bars
  • Dental treats
  • Different types of chew toys

These products are a great addition to your regimen of specialty food and regular care. And as an added bonus, maintaining your dog’s mouth and teeth will improve their long-term health.

Find doggy dental food formulas in our stores

Your Globalvet clinic store carries multiple lines of specialized canine dental foods and dental care products. Talk to your vet to find the winning formula for your dog in one of our stores or online.

Need advice on pet food?

Contact your local clinic or visit our online store.
Find a clinic

    Apply
    now

    Attach your resume *