Helpful Tips to Take Care of Your German Shepherd's Dental Problems

There are a number of ways that you can help to promote good dental health for your German Shepherd. For puppies, dry dog food is recommended for teeth and gums rather than wet or semi-moist food. Knucklebones, chewable items, and hard rubber toys provide another opportunity for your pet to prevent plaque buildup and keep their gums clean and healthy. Tied and twisted rope toys are a great way to remove plaque whilst your pet is playing. The German Shepherd is prone to periodontitis and dental disease due to the spread of bacteria in its gums. Periodontitis is the most common type of infectious dental disease in German Shepherds, especially when it is not controlled in regular brushing.

Dental disease or gum Inflammation can lead to the loss of teeth and to other ailments within the mouth. particularly as bacteria are ingested with food on a regular basis. Signs of periodontitis and dental disease may include gingivitis or bad breath and bleeding gums. If not treated, this can lead to tooth loss, tooth extrusion, mouth ulcers, gum recession, and poor appetite due to pain. If your dog refuses to drink, their teeth may be sensitive to the temperature of the water and it may be a sign that they are suffering from dental problems. Diagnosing this dental problem requires a full mouth examination by your veterinarian during which general anesthesia may be required.

The best way to prevent dental disease in your German Shepherd, is to regularly brush your pet's teeth every other day using a dog dental product. Your veterinarian may provide you with a starter kit which can include a finger brush (a rubber cap with small rubber bristles on it that fits over your finger), and a dog toothpaste. Begin by brushing your pet's teeth with the finger brush and toothpaste. As your dog becomes familiar with this, you can proceed to using a canine toothbrush. Brushing can be carried out once a week for good oral health. Human toothpaste should be avoided as they contain ingredients which may be toxic to your dog such as fluoride, baking soda, and mouthwash. To treat a dental disease, you can use products such as Petzlife Oral Care Spray which mixes with your dog's saliva, improves oral health, and promotes fresh breath. This oral spray is alcohol-free and does not destroy the oral flora. When oral flora is destroyed by bacteria, stomach acids or mouthwash, it can result in bad breath.

Serious dental problems will be treated with antiseptics and dental procedures such as ultrasonic scaling, root planning, and pocketing in the teeth. To treat dental disease, your veterinarian may also prescribe antibiotics. In severe cases, tooth extraction is advisable to stop the spread of disease within the mouth.