When most people think of good dog grooming they think only of a bath and brushing to help maintain a beautiful coat and reduce shedding. Well there 
is one more very important task to good grooming and that is keeping your dog’s teeth clean and tartar free. Just think what our mouths would resemble if we did not brush are teeth, have regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings.
Dogs are just as susceptible to the same diseases and oral infections in their mouths as we humans. Plaque and tartar buildup in your dog’s mouth can lead to:
- Gingivitis – inflammation of your dogs gums resulting from plaque & tartar buildup.
- Periodontal Disease – The next step after Gingivitis, where cavities around the teeth open and allow bacteria to build eventually attacking the bone resulting in tooth lose and worse.
- Pyorrhea – A more advanced stage of periodontal disease. Infection of the bone that leads to tooth lose and bad breath allowing disease and infection to spread to the rest your dog’s body eventually infecting every organ.
In order to prevent this cycle of tooth decay and infection incorporating a twice-weekly regiment of brushing your dog’s teeth is recommended. There are many flavors and styles of dog toothbrushes and toothpastes on the market to help maintain good dog dental hygiene.
If you’re like most people finding the time and patients for this task can be challenging. On the market today, you can find several choices to help offset a brushing regiment. Dog Dental Chews, which are marketed as treats, are a great way for you to accomplish this task. They can be given daily or in between brushings. Although the cost for these dog dental chew treats can seem a little pricey, in the long run they are far less expensive than a visit to vet for the treatment of Pyorrhea.
Veterinary appointments for a regular dog visit is at least twice a year. Schedule a teeth cleaning at the same time so your dog will benefit from a 
professional cleaning. Maintaining your dog’s oral hygiene is a vital part of good pet grooming. If you have your dog professionally groomed ask the groomer if they will brush your dogs teeth as well.
Whether you decide on any one particular solution or a combination of all those mentioned become committed to your dog’s oral health. Fresh breath and clean teeth will keep your dog healthy and safe.
Bad breath in dogs has always received a pass from dog owners. Our surveys of VitaHound readers found that dog owners believed the time and effort of cleaning dog teeth was not worth the results. However modern dog owners pursuing better health and well being for their dogs are willing to try natural products and the techniques listed in this article. Of course it is the opinion of a wide sample of dog owners as to the value of these steps and we are hoping to read those comments here in the future.