10.08.2023 - Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, veterinarian
10.08.2023 - Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, veterinarian
Tartar dog - everything you need to know
Can I remove tartar from my dog myself? What does tartar look like on my dog? You can read everything you need to know about tartar and calculus prophylaxis in dogs in this blog article.
Content
- How is tartar formed?
- Reasons for tartar
- Feeding and dental care
- Lack of exercise
- Genetics
- Is tartar dangerous for my dog?
- Can I remove tartar myself?
- Successfully prevent tartar
From plaque to tartar
Dental plaque (also called plaque) shows up as a yellowish discoloration on the teeth. Most often, dog parents first find plaque on the back molars or the outer sides of the teeth. It consists of various bacteria contained in the mouth and their metabolic products, saliva and degradation products of the mouth.
Tartar dog - rough and yellow-brown
Tartar forms when plaque remains on the tooth for a longer period of time without being brushed off. Minerals from the saliva, such as calcium and phosphate, are then deposited and harden. The tartar-coated tooth feels rough and not smooth and gets a yellow-brownish discoloration due to dyes in the food.
Tartar dog - Why does my dog have tartar?
Tartar in dogs can be attributed to several causes. However, for most, good dental hygiene can prevent the tartar.
Bad breath dog - regular dental care
The most common reason for tartar in dogs is the interaction of food and poor dental care. Many feeds contain added sugar. This causes plaque to form and tooth decay is also a serious consequence. If the plaque is then not removed, tartar develops.
Lack of exercise
With the help of saliva and the tongue, your dog cleans his teeth himself. This natural cleaning of the teeth is an important part of oral hygiene. The flow of saliva is promoted by movement.
In dogs that move too little, bacteria multiply more easily in the oral cavity. This results in plaque and tartar can form in the dog. The same happens with dogs that drink too little.
Genetics
You practice sufficient dental care, pay attention to high-quality food and your dog also moves enough? Then tartar in dogs could be due to genetics.
Small breeds with shortened muzzles in particular tend to develop tartar despite sufficient dental care. The small muzzle with the narrow interdental spaces favors the formation. In addition, the oral flora is different than in larger dogs.
Tartar dog - Is tartar for dogs dangerous?
Tartar in dogs not only causes unpleasant bad breath. You can find more information about bad breath in dogs in the article Bad breath in dogs - what you can do.
Tartar is also the starting point for possible secondary diseases. These include, among others:
- Discoloration of the tooth surface (between tooth and gum)
- Gum recession
- Inflammation of the gums
- Gum bleeding
- Infections of the jaw bone
- Refusal of food due to toothache
- Tooth loss
- Abscesses on the root surface
- Denture problems
- and other negative effects for other organs
Tartar dog - How can I remove tartar from my dog myself?
In short, you should never remove tartar from your dog yourself. The preliminary stage, the plaque, however, is.
Prevent tartar and remove plaque
Regular dental care can help prevent tartar in dogs. For example, the Canosept Dental Gel and the Canosept 3-headed toothbrush dental plaque from every nook and cranny.
You can also make use of the chewing instinct to prevent tartar in dogs. When your dog chews bones, for example, it rubs off the plaque itself. You can find out which chewing bones you can use and further information inour Dog dental care 1x1 from the vet blog article.
Have tartar removed only by a veterinarian
However, if tartar has already formed, it can only be removed at the veterinarian's office. You should refrain from treating it yourself.
If you scratch at the tartar, this can damage your dog's tooth enamel. Other health problems can also occur.
In addition, tartar often causes pockets to form on the gums. Again, everything needs to be cleaned thoroughly, which only your veterinarian can do.
Product recommendations for well-groomed dog teeth
About the author:
Professor Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke has been working as a veterinary scientific advisor for Ardap Care GmbH since 2020. As a veterinarian and dog owner for many years, he knows the problems and questions that dog parents have from a professional and personal perspective. As an expert on the subject of dog health, Norbert Mencke provides you with helpful information and tips. You can reach Norbert Mencke at mencke@ardapcare.com.
Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, Veterinarian
About the author:
Professor Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke has been working as a veterinary scientific advisor for Ardap Care GmbH since 2020. As a veterinarian and dog owner for many years, he knows the problems and questions that dog parents have from a professional and personal perspective. As an expert on the subject of dog health, Norbert Mencke provides you with helpful information and tips. You can reach Norbert Mencke at mencke@ardapcare.com.
Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, Veterinarian
Popular blog articles on the topic
Bad breath dog - what you can do
Help! My dog stinks from the mouth - what can I do about bad breath in dogs? We have summarized the most important answers from our vet and first aid tips against unpleasant mouth odor in dogs in this blog article.
Dogs dental care 1x1 from the vet
How often do I actually have to brush my dog's teeth? Why does my dog always chew on everything? Together with our veterinarian Prof. Dr. med. vet. Mencke, we answer the most frequently asked questions from dog parents on the subject of dog dental care and recommend products that make dog dental care much easier.
Dental spray for dogs: dental care without brushing
Do I never have to brush my dog's teeth again with a dental spray for dogs ? Your Ardap Care Team, in cooperation with veterinarian Prof. Dr. med. vet. N. Mencke, offers you not only answers to the question, but also the right products.