Dental Care for Bichon Frise – What you Need to Know

Poor dental care is one of the most common problems faced by dogs according to veterinarians. This is particularly true in the case of the Bichon Frise who requires regular dental care to keep their teeth and gums healthy. As your pet can start losing their teeth as early as seven years, it is essential to give proper dental care while they are still young, otherwise they can develop periodontal diseases like Gingivitis.

If proper dental care is not taken, plaque can form inside the dog's mouth where it accumulates with saliva and food remnants already present between teeth and gums. This can lead to bad breath, wounds in the gums and loosening of the teeth. Symptoms of plaque formation include reddish-brown discoloration on your pets' teeth near the gum line. In the case of improper dental care plaque can lead to tartar. Tartar will cause discoloration of your dog's gums to from a healthy pink color to a dark red. It is formed when plaque hardens and is not removed from teeth and can lead to gum irritation and gingivitis and lead to loose teeth, abscesses, and infection. It can also lead to bad breath, pus around the tooth, bleeding gums, loss of appetite and difficulty chewing.

The first step to dental care is brushing, which will not only keep your pet's teeth looking health but will also prevent plaque and tartar buildup. It is essential to begin brushing your pet's teeth from an early age to help them become accustomed to the activity. Ensure that you use toothpaste and a toothbrush which is specially made for dogs, as those designed for humans may cause problems for your pet. The Bichon Frise are not very patient dogs and can get jittery if held for a long time and so trying to keep the process as quick as possible is recommended.Dental brushing should be carried out daily or at least 2-3 times a week. Note that if you are brushing your pet daily, you can limit using toothpaste to 2-3 times a week and instead using dry brushing.

Providing your Bichon Frise with an interactive chewing toy can also help to remove plaque in addition to keeping their teeth clean. Another advantage of giving your pet chewing toys is that unlike brushing, this does not require your intervention and you are able to leave your pet alone. Some recommended chews toys include synthetic bones which can be purchased form your local pet store. Similarly, dry dog food is a good way to encourage your pet to chew and has similar benefits for your dog's teeth. It is also essential that your take your pet to a veterinarian periodically to have a thorough dental examination carried out. Regular visits can also help your veterinarian to diagnose any dental health problems as early as possible so that appropriate treatment can be given to your dog.