10.08.2023 - Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, Tierarzt
10.08.2023 - Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, Tierarzt
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?
Zahnstein beim Hund verursacht nicht nur unangenehmen Mundgeruch. Weitere Informationen zum Thema Mundgeruch beim Hund finden Sie im Artikel Mundgeruch Hund – Das können Sie tun.
Zahnstein ist auch Ausgangspunkt für mögliche Folgeerkrankungen. Darunter fallen unter anderem:
- 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
Durch eine regelmäßige Zahnpflege können Sie dem Zahnstein beim Hund vorbeugen. Dafür entfernt beispielsweise das Canosept Zahnpflege Dental Gel und die Canosept 3-Kopf-Zahnbürste Zahnbelag aus jedem Winkel.
Auch den Kautrieb können Sie sich zu Nutze machen, um Zahnstein beim Hund vorzubeugen. Beim Kauen von z.B. Knochen reibt Ihr Hund sich den Zahnbelag selbst ab. Welche Kauknochen Sie nutzen können und weitere Informationen finden Sie in unserem Hunde Zahnpflege 1x1 vom Tierarzt Blogartikel.
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
Über den Autor:
Professor Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke ist seit 2020 als veterinärmedizinisch wissenschaftlicher Dienst beratend für die Ardap Care GmbH tätig. Als langjähriger Tierarzt und Hundesitzer kennt er die Probleme und Fragen, die Hundeeltern haben, aus der fachlichen und persönlichen Sicht. Norbert Mencke versorgt Sie als Experte rund um das Thema Hundegesundheit mit hilfreichen Infos und Tipps. Erreichen können Sie Norbert Mencke unter mencke@ardapcare.com.
Prof. Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke, Veterinarian
Über den Autor:
Professor Dr. med. vet. Norbert Mencke ist seit 2020 als veterinärmedizinisch wissenschaftlicher Dienst beratend für die Ardap Care GmbH tätig. Als langjähriger Tierarzt und Hundesitzer kennt er die Probleme und Fragen, die Hundeeltern haben, aus der fachlichen und persönlichen Sicht. Norbert Mencke versorgt Sie als Experte rund um das Thema Hundegesundheit mit hilfreichen Infos und Tipps. Erreichen können Sie Norbert Mencke unter 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.
