The dog is the god of frolic. Henry Ward Beecher.

According to statistics, nearly 35% of Canadians have a pet dog, and this number is increasing at a tremendous speed. And why not? Pets can make your life fun, thrilling, and lovely. After a long day at work or school, your pet will be waiting to welcome you in the most wonderful way possible.

Nevertheless, adopting and taking care of a puppy is a big responsibility. You must pay utmost attention to their health and growing up needs, especially regarding their dental health. According to reports, nearly 80% of dogs experience one or the other type of dental disease (periodontal disease) by the age of 3. Therefore, you must start taking care of your puppy’s dental health ASAP. Here’s how:

Learn About The Teething Phase

Just like humans, puppies are born without teeth. They typically start growing teeth within five to six weeks of age. At this stage, they tend to become chew-maniacs as their mouth gets itchy and sore. Chewing helps them relieve the discomfort and keep their teeth and gums clean. Around the twelfth to sixteenth week, the milk teeth start to fall and are replaced by adult teeth. It is generally recommended to provide chew toys around this period to your furry friend to help them ease the pain.

Help Them With Chewing Habit

Chewing comes naturally to pups. They tend to chew on things to explore more about the world, relieve boredom, and simply because it feels good. Even so, it is critical that you help them form healthy chewing habits and keep destructive chewing at bay. For this reason, you can try bully sticks for puppies and dogs. These types of chews are generally made of a single ingredient that is natural and 100% digestible. These help in the healthy growth of puppies as they build muscles, improve fur quality and skin. Using chews will also help you tame the habit of biting.

Brushing Their Teeth

Let’s be honest, making a puppy comfortable with brushing is much easier than that of a full-grown dog. Brushing will evidently help keep the teeth and gums healthy and protected from periodontal disease. You can take your little furry friend to the veterinarian for regular cleaning. They can also help with ultrasonic scaling, fluoride treatment, polishing, and more.

Or, you can also try brushing their teeth at home. Begin with creating a habit of holding their mouth handled. Use toothpaste made especially for doggies (preferably meat flavor to make the process easier). Use a tiny and soft toothbrush to clean their teeth. You can also use their favorite toys to encourage this behavior.

Learn About Common Dental Diseases

Last but not least, you must learn about common dental diseases. These generally include bleeding in the gums, bad breath, facial swelling, loss of appetite, and more. It would be wise to visit the vet regularly to diagnose dental diseases and take appropriate measures accordingly.

Wrapping It All Up!

Good dental health plays a significant role in the overall development of a puppy. Therefore, you must pay attention to different teething phases, help them with chewing and visit the vet on a regular basis.