Dental Hygiene- Studies show dental disease linked to heart/liver disease, kidney failure

How often and necessary are teeth cleanings for your dog? Honestly, every dog is different!  There are a few things you can do to help aid in keeping your dog’s mouth a more cleanly place and prevent oral diseases.

The first rule of thumb is to not feed wet dog food… this can build up tartar and plaque.  That nice, crunchy kibble, like Life’s Abundance, actually helps scrape away at the buildup on their teeth. But its also important to do SOME kind of dental maintenance…luckily there are more products available that are convenient and not time consuming, but still prevent tarter and gum disease. This is one of my favorites Foam Breath Refresher

Another good tip is to let your dog chew on raw marrow bones.  Not only do they LOVE them, but they are a healthy treat that also scrapes away at the gunk that builds up on their teeth! Or, I recommend safe bully sticks that are made from grass-fed, free range buffalo and have no dies Bully Sticks

Hard rubber chew toys like Nylabones will also help exercise their teeth and keep gums clean! 😀  But even with all of these tactics, regular dental exams are a good idea!  There are so many things you can find online now or in pet supply stores with regards to good chew toys and even doggy tooth brushes!   Imagine only cleaning your teeth when you went to the dentist. This is why I don’t recommend teeth cleaning at a vet office…not only is it expensive (up to $500+) but it also puts your dog at risk with the anesthesia involved. Some regular maintenance can make a WORLD of difference down the road when you don’t have to deal with serious dental and gum diseases like Gingivitis and Periodontitis.

WARNING: Dental Cleaning Creates Complications For 300 Dogs

The Journal For The American Animal Hospital Association did a study to evaluate the health risks of a ROUTINE dental cleaning. Over 300 of the dogs in this study had major complications including low blood pressure abnormal heart rhythm and even death due to complications of sedation.
Source: Journal For The American Animal Hospital Association

Unfortunately, routine dental cleanings at your vet can be both expensive and dangerous… The average cost to prevent dental disease in pets is $171.82. And if your dog already has dental disease it will cost you on average $531.71 to get it treated, according to a 2013 analysis conducted by VPI Pet Insurance.

If the tartar isn’t removed it will build up under your dog’s gums. This can cause the gums to pull away from the teeth, creating small open spaces that act as collection points for even more bacteria. This picture below shows you what I’m talking about.

Gum Disease Can Lead To:

• Heart Disease
• Kidney Failure
• Liver Disease
  • “Our data show a clear statistical link between gum disease and heart disease in dogs,” says Dr. Glickman. “For many candidates for heart disease, you’re not talking about a single cause. But it clearly speaks to more emphasis on dental care.”