Before answering the question of the statement, even if it is a “spoiler”, the answer is a clear and forceful YES! , but we find it convenient to have clear basic information about our best friend ‘s teeth .
The teeth, in those animal species that possess them, have a shape, arrangement and number appropriate to the function they must perform; Human teeth are not the same, evolving towards the consumption of food “on a plate”, to the set of dental rows that a piranha can present to achieve the hunt and the “chopping” of the piece before being ingested.
In general we can say that the teeth of our dogs are white, or with a certain yellowish tone, with a hard consistency and firmly implanted in the dental alveoli.
The great difference that our dog’s teeth provide, if we compare them with those of humans, is their inclined position and pointed conformation , characteristics that largely prevent an illness that is too widespread among the presumed rational: cavities.
If we focus on the function of the types of teeth of our dog:
- Incisors : hold food.
- Canines : fastening and tearing of food.
- Molars and premolars : grind food.
The dog is born without visible teeth, in reality they are hidden under the gums, which begin to become visible between 20 and 30 days of age, depending on the breed, size, individual characteristics…, being able to appreciate the full milk teeth towards a month and a half, or two months old.
Milk teeth receive this name because they appear during the lactation period, and because they are not definitive; the milk teeth are usually replaced by the definitive pieces between three and seven months of age, reaching the 42 pieces that the animal will have for the rest of its life.
During the development of the teeth, there may be several problems that will affect the oral functions of the animal to a greater or lesser degree :
- Adoncia or agenesis: lack of one or some dental pieces.
- Polyodontics: appearance of more pieces than usual.
- Permanent teeth: those milk pieces that are not replaced naturally and that have to be extracted by the professional so as not to alter the proper position of the rest of the pieces. This is a relatively common problem in small and toy breeds.
And as we said at the beginning: IF it is necessary to brush our dog’s teeth… it is, but unfortunately it is not a very frequent routine among rational people who live with a dog.
It should be evident that any organic territory, ANY, has to be reviewed by the human in order to avoid most of the problems thanks to the active participation of a rational responsible.
The permanent teeth of the dog should remain healthy and in their position, ALL LIFE , and, unfortunately, many animals end their days with a mouth practically without teeth due to the inadequate, if not absent, involvement of the human.
Let’s go to the beginning…
The vast majority of dental problems would be avoided if within the puppy’s learning routines, we implemented the action of cleaning the oral cavity.
Obviously, most humans do not even consider cleaning the oral cavity, and if they do, they usually try such an action without prior recommendation from a professional and without having the remotest idea of how to “explain” to the animal that it has to keep it open. its mouth so that our hands and certain objects pass through its interior.
If from the earliest childhood of the animal (or with large doses of patience and advice in adult dogs) we allow ourselves to be advised by the professional, we acquire the appropriate toothbrushes, and the specific toothpaste, we will have covered a large part of the way.
Later we must arm ourselves with patience and also follow the guidelines recommended by the specialist to “CONVINCE” (never force) the animal to keep its mouth open while we proceed to clean.
To do this, before trying to use the toothbrush and dental cleaner, we must spend the necessary time, patiently and rewarding, touching the animal’s mouth, getting it to allow us to open it willingly and, once achieved and maintaining patience as pillars and the prizes, we will proceed to use brush and cleaner.
The dedication required to get used to the animal is the only obstacle for most humans.
In case of not achieving this dental cleaning, a couple of times a week, we will have to help ourselves with dry food, with greater mechanical cleaning capacity than canned food, with specific prizes to help with dental cleaning (snacks that must be certified by veterinarians) and, in most cases, go to the veterinarian for evaluation and subsequent dental cleaning under sedation.
And we will forget about bones, stale bread, apples… and other various means of presumed dental cleaning.
Most humans consider that the animal has a problem in the mouth when the bad smell (halitosis) becomes unbearable for coexistence, or when the animal, due to pure pain, is not able to chew food.
At this point we must warn that halitosis is the flag of an infection of varying degrees, and dental disability the harbinger of the loss of one or more pieces.
Let’s try to get our best friend used to his dental hygiene routine, he will avoid pain and suffering allowing a healthy and peaceful life.
