Dog Teeth Tartar: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment

Tartar buildup on dog teeth is a common problem that can lead to a variety of health issues. In fact, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some degree of tartar buildup.

What is Tartar?

Tartar is a hard, calcified deposit that forms on the teeth when plaque is not removed. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth every day. If plaque is not removed regularly, it can harden into tartar.

Tartar can build up above and below the gum line. Tartar above the gum line is visible as a yellow or brown crust on the teeth. Tartar below the gum line is not visible, but it can be just as harmful.

Causes of Tartar Buildup

There are a number of factors that can contribute to tartar buildup in dogs, including:

• Diet: A diet high in carbohydrates and low in fiber can promote plaque and tartar formation.
• Chewing habits: Dogs that do not chew on hard objects regularly are more likely to develop tartar buildup.
• Breed: Certain breeds of dogs are more prone to tartar buildup than others.
• Age: As dogs age, they are more likely to develop tartar buildup.
• Health conditions: Some health conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease, can increase the risk of tartar buildup.

Risks of Tartar Buildup

Tartar buildup can lead to a number of health problems in dogs, including:

• Gingivitis: This is inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis can cause redness, swelling, and bleeding of the gums.
• Periodontitis: This is a more serious infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Periodontitis can lead to tooth loss, bone loss, and pain.
• Heart disease: Bacteria from tartar can travel through the bloodstream and infect the heart.
• Kidney disease: Tartar buildup can increase the risk of kidney disease in dogs.

Preventing Tartar Buildup

There are a number of things you can do to help prevent tartar buildup in your dog, including:

• Brush your dog's teeth regularly. This is the most important thing you can do to prevent tartar buildup. Brush your dog's teeth at least twice a week, using a toothpaste that is specifically designed for dogs.
• Give your dog hard chews. Hard chews help to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Give your dog a hard chew every day, such as a rawhide bone or a dental chew.
• Feed your dog a diet that is high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. A diet high in fiber and low in carbohydrates can help to reduce plaque and tartar formation.
• Take your dog to the vet for regular checkups. Your vet can check your dog's teeth for tartar buildup and recommend the best course of treatment.

Treating Tartar Buildup

If your dog already has tartar buildup, there are a number of treatments that can be used to remove it. These treatments include:

• Scaling: This is a procedure in which a veterinarian uses a special tool to remove tartar from the teeth. Scaling is usually done under anesthesia.
• Polishing: This is a procedure in which a veterinarian uses a polishing tool to smooth the teeth and remove any remaining tartar. Polishing is usually done after scaling.
• Extractions: In some cases, it may be necessary to extract teeth that are severely damaged by tartar buildup.

Stories

Story 1:

My dog, Buddy, is a 10-year-old Labrador retriever. He has always had good dental hygiene, but he recently developed a lot of tartar buildup on his teeth. I took him to the vet, and he was diagnosed with periodontitis. The vet performed a scaling and polishing on Buddy's teeth, and he is now doing much better.

What we learn: Tartar buildup can be a serious problem in dogs, even if they have good dental hygiene. It is important to take your dog to the vet for regular checkups so that tartar buildup can be detected and treated early.

Story 2:

My dog, Maggie, is a 2-year-old golden retriever. She loves to chew on bones, but she does not like to have her teeth brushed. As a result, she has a lot of tartar buildup on her teeth. I took her to the vet, and the vet recommended that she have a scaling and polishing. I agreed, and Maggie's teeth are now much cleaner and healthier.

What we learn: It is important to brush your dog's teeth regularly, even if they do not like it. If your dog does not like to have their teeth brushed, you can try using a dental chew or a water additive that is designed to help reduce tartar buildup.

Story 3:

My dog, Max, is a 5-year-old German shepherd. He has always had healthy teeth, but he recently developed a lot of tartar buildup on his teeth. I took him to the vet, and the vet discovered that Max had a broken tooth. The broken tooth was causing bacteria to build up on the tooth and surrounding gums, which led to tartar buildup. The vet extracted the broken tooth, and Max's teeth are now much cleaner and healthier.

What we learn: Dental problems, such as broken teeth, can lead to tartar buildup. It is important to take your dog to the vet for regular checkups so that dental problems can be detected and treated early.

Effective Strategies

There are a number of effective strategies that you can use to help prevent and treat tartar buildup in your dog, including:

• Brushing your dog's teeth regularly. This is the most important thing you can do to prevent tartar buildup. Brush your dog's teeth at least twice a week, using a toothpaste that is specifically designed for dogs.
• Giving your dog hard chews. Hard chews help to remove plaque and tartar from the teeth. Give your dog a hard chew every day, such as a rawhide bone or a dental chew.
• Feeding your dog a diet that is high in fiber and low in carbohydrates. A diet high in fiber and low in carbohydrates can help to reduce plaque and tartar formation.
• Taking your dog to the vet for regular checkups. Your vet can check your dog's teeth for tartar buildup and recommend the best course of treatment.

Pros and Cons

Pros of treating tartar buildup:

• Prevents gum disease. Tartar buildup can lead to gum disease, which is a serious infection of the gums and supporting structures of the teeth. Treating tartar buildup can help to prevent gum disease.
• Prevents tooth loss. Tartar buildup can damage the teeth and lead to tooth loss. Treating tartar buildup can help to prevent tooth loss.
• Improves overall health. Tartar buildup can lead to a number of health problems in dogs, including heart disease and kidney disease. Treating tartar buildup can help to improve your dog's overall health.

Cons of treating tartar buildup:

• Cost: Scaling and polishing can be expensive, especially if your dog has a lot of tartar buildup.
• Anesthesia: Scaling and polishing is usually done under anesthesia, which can be risky for some dogs.
• Pain: Scaling and polishing can be painful for some dogs, especially if they have sensitive teeth.

Call to Action

If your dog has tartar buildup, it is important to take him or her to the vet for treatment. Tartar buildup can lead to a number of serious health problems, so it is important to treat it as soon as possible.

Tables

Table 1: Risk Factors for Tartar Buildup in Dogs

Table 2: Signs of Tartar Buildup in Dogs

Table 3: Treatment Options for Tartar Buildup in Dogs