Oral Care

Dogs have 28 deciduous teeth (temporary) and 42 permanent teeth. Deciduous or "milk" teeth begin to appear when a puppy is about three to four weeks of age, and are lost gradually between 14 and 26 weeks of age. During this time, puppies may eat slightly less and chew more. Hard rubber or hard toys made especially for dogs are a good investment to help prevent household damage during this time.
Occasionally a puppy will retain some deciduous (baby) teeth after the permanent teeth have appeared. This may damage the soft tissues of the mouth and may even accelerate wear of permanent teeth. This baby teeth may be removed at any time and especially when you spay/neuter your puppy.
Common signs of dental problems in dogs include:
Foul breath
Red, swollen and bleeding gums.
Yellow-brown tartar at the gum line
Drooling.
Loss of appetite.
To ensure your dog's dental health, they require dental care on a regular basis. Otherwise they may develop problems.
Dogs sometimes suffer from broken teeth; often a result of biting on sticks or rocks. A cracked or broken tooth can be painful if the nerve tissue is exposed; if it becomes infected, there is the danger of the infection spreading through the bloodstream. Prompt veterinary attention is recommended.
However, the most common dental problems dogs experience is buildup from plaque and calculus. Food, bacteria and saliva may accumulate and adhere to the tooth surface, forming a soft plaque. If plaque buildup continues, solutions of chalk-like materials form a hardened dental calculus on the tooth surface. If left unchecked, plaque and calculus buildup can eventually cause inflammation of both the gums (gingivitis) and the membrane lining of the tooth socket (periodontitis). Without proper treatment, the teeth may become infected and fall out. The infection resulting from these conditions may spread to other parts of the body such as the kidneys or valves of the heart.
Dental problems can be minimized or even prevented through regular cleaning and scaling under anesthesia, done by a veterinarian.
Unfortunately, signs of dental problems are often subtle and may go undetected for months, or even years. Regular dental examinations by a veterinarian are recommended. Your dog's yearly physical examination is a good opportunity for a dental checkup.
Additionally, dry, Oral care diets can be helpful in keeping teeth clean. As the pet chews, particles from the dry food scrape against the teeth, acting like a toothbrush to help remove plaque. Still, there is no substitute for regular dental care.
If possible, accustom a young puppy to having its teeth cleaned on a regular basis at home. Gently rub the pet's teeth with a soft cloth, gauze or a pet toothbrush and pet dental paste. Do not use toothpaste formulated for humans.