How much do you know about your dog’s teeth? Well, let’s get serious, how much do you even know about your own teeth? Not much?  You should, since those pearly whites in your mouth not only look great in photos, but they make it so you can enjoy your favorite foods! It’s important you care about them, whether it’s your own set or your dog’s.

Below, we wanted to share some fun facts about your dog’s teeth that you may not know:

• Dogs have 42 permanent teeth and puppies has 28 teeth.
• By age 3, 80 percent of dogs show signs of gum disease
• Small dogs have a bigger chance of developing periodontal disease than larger dogs.
• Dogs, who spend a lot of time outdoors, are known to break teeth often from carrying objects in their mouths.
• Dogs don’t usually get cavities, because they don’t consume sugar like humans do, and the surfaces of their teeth are different than ours. Dogs’ saliva also has a high pH, which helps prevent demineralization in the teeth
• A dog dental visit is just like a human’s; the vet will give them an exam, a cleaning and x-rays.
• Like humans, a dog can have extra teeth and need them removed.

First and foremost, it’s essential you bring your dog in regularly to get a dental check in with the vet. Once a year is usually enough for a professional checkup, but some breeds need more visits. It truly is essential to bring your dog in for teeth cleanings by a vet. Otherwise, you run the risk of your dog developing a periodontal disease that can cause him pain, destroy the teeth, gums, and bones, and even cause damage to other parts of the body. If your dog has extremely bad breath, irritated gums, is reluctant to eat, or has bumps in the mouth, you should get him checked out by a vet to rule out anything serious.

In between dental visits, there’s plenty you can do to prevent plaque and tartar build up throughout the year. You can brush your dog’s teeth with a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste, use a special dental oral rinse, or use dental chews and water additives.

Ark Naturals and Gray Muzzle offer a few different dental products for dogs.

• Breath-Less Chewable Brushless Toothpaste – These are natural dental chews for dogs that help keep plaque, tartar, and bacteria under control. These also help reduce bad breath and stained teeth. No brushing needed!
• Breath-Less Plaque Zapper – This is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless natural water additive that helps prevent dental decay, plaque, tartar, and bad breath.
• Brushless Toothpaste – This is a natural, senior-friendly dental chewable that helps control plaque, bad breath and tartar. This is also good for dogs with tender gums or missing teeth.

Your dog’s dental health is just as important as yours! With the proper dental care, you can keep your dog smiling and pain free all year round. For more dog wellness products, visit Ark Naturals’ Dog page. Ark Naturals takes pride in creating products that promote pet health so they can live healthier and happier lives.