Good dental care throughout life is important for keeping teeth and gums healthy in older dogs, but even so, older dogs may need their teeth cleaned more often than younger dogs. If you’ve never had your dog’s teeth professionally scaled by a vet, this procedure may become necessary later in life. Some individual dogs require cleaning more than others, as they seem to accumulate more tartar. Gums in older dogs may become infected and can lead to pain, tooth loss, and difficulty eating, which can debilitate an old dog quickly. Oral bacteria and infection can travel to the heart, so good dental hygiene is more than a matter of aesthetics.
Check your senior dog’s teeth every day and keep them well brushed, especially if your dog can no longer chew on hard biscuits. Have your vet look over teeth and gums closely and scale them if necessary at least twice a year. This should be part of the regular check-up, but remember to mention any oral changes or signs that your dog is experiencing dental or periodontal pain.
Excerpted from The Simple Guide to a Healthy Dog by Eve Adamson, published TFH Publications, used with permission.
