Your dog should avoid sticking its nose into objects it shouldn’t; otherwise they risk picking up bacteria that is unsuitable for their mouth. This is especially likely if they lick open wounds or surgical sites.
Although some bacteria found in dogs’ mouths overlap with the bacteria found in human ones, their mouths also contain many different species.
Table of Contents
1. Brushing
Brushing dogs regularly to maintain good dental health is essential. Not only will this improve their breath, it helps prevent plaque build-up and tartar formation; gum health benefits as it prevents tooth and bone loss while decreasing infection and disease risks. Brushing may initially prove challenging; with patience and treats your pup will become used to it over time. Many flavors of dog toothpaste make the experience more pleasant while special brushes that fit over one finger are available for smaller dogs who find brushing less uncomfortable; alternatively a cloth or washcloth wrapped around one index finger works just as effectively!
Dog mouths, like human ones, are home to bacteria and viruses – in fact they contain more types of germs than people! But most germs found in your dog’s mouth won’t spread from animal to people unless eating raw diet is involved – however if they ingest salmonella via raw diet this could potentially increase risk.
Though their mouths contain many microorganisms, most dogs’ teeth remain relatively strong and healthy despite a host of microbes lingering inside them. Poor oral hygiene is usually the root cause for problems like gum disease and other dental issues in dogs – left untreated these infections can compromise liver, kidneys and heart functions and potentially pose life-threatening threats to the animal’s wellbeing.
Though it may seem harmless, allowing your dog to lick open wounds on you should be avoided at all costs. Although licking helps heal wounds faster, it also introduces bacteria that could potentially be harmful and cause allergic reactions in humans.
Bad breath (halitosis) in dogs is often caused by bacteria accumulation in their mouth. One way to alleviate this problem is through daily brushing with an appropriate toothbrush designed for dogs and safe toothpaste made especially for canines; brushing should take about one minute-30 seconds per set of top and bottom teeth, so try and make this part of their daily routine to maintain clean oral health for both you and your canine pal!
2. Dental Treats
Common wisdom suggests that dogs’ mouths are cleaner than ours because they don’t come into contact with raw meat or unsanitary hands, yet while this seems reasonable it is actually inaccurate; their saliva contains bacteria unique to each species that have completely different ecosystems than our own mouths and thus it’s impossible to compare one species’ bacteria levels with that of another’s.
Even so, a dog’s mouth can harbor germs that cause problems for us and our families. Of particular concern are Porphyromonas bacteria which cause periodontal disease – both of which are found both in dog and human mouths.
Apart from harmful bacteria, a dog’s mouth may contain pathogenic strains that can also make humans sick, such as Pasteurella which is transmissible between species. Although normally present on your dog’s skin and digestive tract, Pasteurella bacteria have the ability to infiltrate our bloodstream and infect us as well.
Though it may contain less bacteria than our mouths, it is still important to keep their mouth clean. Regular brushing of teeth is the best way to keep their gums and teeth in great shape; there are also a variety of dental chews and toys which may help prevent plaque and tartar formation. When selecting dental treats for your pup look for products which have received the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal of approval – they have been scientifically proven to reduce plaque buildup significantly!
Dental chews with a texture designed to scrape teeth as they chew can help eliminate plaque and tartar build-up, freshen breath, and improve overall oral hygiene. Look for products without artificial preservatives, flavors or colors made with high-quality ingredients such as the Greenies Canine Dental Chews which come in multiple sizes to suit any dog’s size and needs; or consider rawhide bones which may also be safe as long as they remain unsoftened for your pup to chew on!
3. Chewing
Long held as fact, it has long been believed that dog mouths are cleaner than their human counterparts; however, this comparison cannot be taken literally; human and dog microorganisms differ significantly between species’ mouths.
An example would be bacteria found in human saliva entering their bloodstream and leading to infection; by comparison, dog saliva does not contain disease-causing microorganisms; however, through bites or scratches and even licks they could still introduce harmful microbes into their bodies.
Some bacteria can be transmitted between animals and people through bites from dogs or other pets, making an infection possible when broken skin surfaces are exposed. A bite from such an animal could potentially result in infection if exposed for too long.
Unattended canine teeth can also develop plaque, tartar and bacterial infections if left unbrushed regularly – particularly for small breed dogs which tend to have less adult teeth and have an increased susceptibility to poor dental health.
Brushing and providing dental treats for your pet are effective strategies for combatting tooth decay. Chewing on hard, durable dental treats may also help reduce plaque build-up on teeth. Some chew toys even feature bristles designed specifically to remove tartar as dogs chew, making these toys great for both oral care and entertainment purposes!
If your dog’s dental health is in question, contact a North Providence vet as soon as possible. Our experts can recommend appropriate dental care practices such as brushing, dental chews and toys as well as professional teeth cleanings which will help ensure good dental health and help to avoid gum disease.
4. Dental Toys
As well as brushing their teeth regularly, dental toys can also help keep their mouth clean. Chew toys with ridges or bristles designed to remove plaque and tartar can also help. Dental toys should also be combined with toothpaste or mouthwash that contains baking soda and enzymes in order to combat bacteria, bad breath and gum disease.
There is an assortment of dental chew toys on the market for dogs, such as rope toys that can be filled with pet-safe toothpaste or mouthwash and feature squeakers and treat compartments to keep them engaged while you clean their teeth. Another excellent option is natural rubber toys designed specifically to be chewed until soft enough for your dog to bite onto and hold. You could fill these toys up with toothpaste, special mouthwash or hide treats within its crevices for maximum effect.
Some dogs enjoy chewing on shoes, old sneakers and kitchen trash cans; others lick themselves paws, faces and the skin on their cheeks, neck and ears. But no evidence suggests that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than that of humans – there are hundreds of species living within your dog’s saliva! Some such as Pasteurella bacteria may even cross over between animals and humans but most cannot.
However, you can still become sick from dog saliva if it comes into contact with open wounds or broken skin. To remain safe when petting or kissing your pup, use hand sanitizer before and after petting them; brush their teeth regularly as well as giving dental chews or scheduling professional dental cleaning sessions with your veterinarian to safeguard themselves and ensure healthy, strong teeth for both you and your family! Regular check-ups help avoid serious dental issues or infections, keeping everyone’s dental health intact and strong!