Helpful TIps to Take Care of Your Bulldog's Dental Problems

A dental care routine for your Bulldog, is just as important as your own, and may even involve some of the same dental procedures. Preventative dental care such as keeping your pet's teeth and gums clean and healthy can help to prevent serious dental problems from occurring in the future. In general, dogs do not get cavities but they are prone to dental disease. Dental or periodontal disease can be caused by excessive plaque and tartar build up. The first important step in preventive dental care is to regularly check your dog's teeth and gums to look for any signs of infection. Discolored gums may be a sign of plaque and tartar build up. If left untreated, this may lead to gum and bone infection, as bacteria often lives and feeds on plaque. It may also cause pain and bad breath.

Other common causes of bad breath are excessive tartar or calculus and plaque deposits on the teeth. These are hard, yellowish deposits which are composed of mineral salts, food, and other debris that has hardened over time. Dental plaque is a filmy deposit found on the surface of a tooth consisting of a mixture of mucus, bacteria, and food and is known as bacterial plaque. Another condition that your pet may be prone to is Pyorrhea, inflamed and infected gums, which can lead to loosening of the teeth. This condition is often the cause of kidney infections and endocarditis in older dogs. The pressure on the gums and infection of the teeth can be painful to your pet. There are also several types of infection which may cause bad breath or halitosis. The Bulldog breed is also particularly prone to developing sores around their lips, due to their excess skin folds. In addition to harming your pet's teeth, dental and bacterial infections may also cause difficulty in eating. Although periodontal disease is common in dogs, it is preventable and treatable.

A good dental care routine should start whilst your pet is young. Start brushing your bulldog's teeth while they are a puppy to help them become familiar with the process. Plaque builds up on your bulldog's tooth surface daily and periodontal disease affects the upper back teeth first. It can take less than 36 hours for the plaque to harden into tartar which cannot be removed through brushing alone. For this reason, regular daily brushing is important. When choosing a toothbrush, a soft-bristled brush is recommended and there are a variety of toothpastes specifically designed for dogs, which are available in appealing flavors for your pet. To help encourage your pet to allow you to brush their teeth, begin by gradually exposing them to the process. For example, you may start by allowing your pet to taste the toothpaste first, next allowing them to taste the toothpaste while you brush your fingers on their gums. Repeat these steps before gradually introducing the toothbrush using circular motions from back to front, along the gum lines. The key to success is to make the process fun and rewarding for your Bulldog. Furthermore, supplements that contain chlorophyll and which are specifically made for dogs can help to prevent buildup of bacteria up in your dog's mouth.

In addition to daily cleaning, your pet will occasionally require a professional dental cleaning to be carried out by their veterinarian. This allows for a more comprehensive cleaning and allows your veterinarian to check for any dental problems. Your dog will be placed under anesthesia whilst your veterinarian carries out the examination which may include X-rays. Your veterinarian will remove any stubborn areas of plaque, use fluoride, and sealants and finish by polishing the teeth. Professional dental cleaning is advisable every two years.