Pet Forum

Let's discuss dog bad breath, also known as doggie breath or doggy breath. What we're talking about here is bad dog breath that I'm sure ALL of us are very familiar with. We'l define it and then go over the causes, symptoms, and treatments of bad bog breath.

What is doggy breath? Halitosis, or bad breath, is an unpleasant odor coming from your dog's mouth. It's more than just usual "doggie breath" in that it is offensive.

What causes bad breath in dogs? The most common cause of bad breath is tartar buildup surrounding the teeth. As in people, small particles off food remain in the mouth after eating. These particles decompose creating conditions where oral bacteria thrive. These bacterial grow to form plaque which is a combination of bacteria, mineral and decomposed food. Plaque and associated oral infections give the pet’s breath an objectionable odor. Plaque also clings to the base of teeth causing the gums to become inflamed and recede. Inflamed gums leak blood serum with combines with and increase the amount of plaque. This plaque or calculus is visible as a hard yellowish coating on the outer base of the teeth. Remarkably, pets with this condition rarely eat less. Early in the disease, the plaque is no more than a thin brownish or yellowish coating on the sides of the teeth. It is most noticeable on the outer (lateral) surface of the larger molar teeth – the side adjacent to the cheeks and lips. In severe cases the margins where teeth and gums meet become highly inflamed and bleed when they are touched. For reasons we do not understand, these problems are most severe in toy and smaller breeds of dogs and in purebred cats. Maltese have the highest rate of tooth and gum disease of all breeds. This buildup of calculus causes the gum margins to recedes past the tooth enamel exposing the softer dentine material that covers the tooth roots. Dentine is much more porous and rougher than enamel and so holds infection in place. Once dentine is exposed periodic tooth care must be done more frequently and the teeth are eventually lost. This is why successful tooth care and good dental hygiene needs to begin early before these processes are advanced.

What are some symptoms of dog bad breath? It stinks! lol Dental disease is one of the most common symptoms of bad breath in dogs. Tartar build up caused by plaque should be avoided by either cleaning your dog's teeth yourself or having an annual scaling by your vet. There are specially formulated toothpastes and specially designed toothbrushes for dogs.

How can I treat doggie breath? Brush your dog's teeth daily. You may have some difficulties when you first begin to do this but many dogs end up enjoying the procedure. You may wish to use a regular dog toothbrush or a finger brush. A finger brush is a rubber cap that you place over your finger. It has soft rubber bristles and is useful for getting into hard to reach areas. Many dogs who won't let you brush with a toothbrush will allow you to put your finger in their mouth using the finger brush.

Bad Dog Breath Pictures:

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