Dental hygiene is one of the most important and crucial parts of a Golden Retriever’s health. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most neglected and underestimated areas when we talk about the overall well-being and health of our Golden Retrievers. Golden Retrievers must have proper dental care. This implies that your dog needs to have its teeth examined and cleaned at least twice a year. In this article, we will go through every aspect of dental hygiene in Golden Retrievers, all the problems, and all the necessary actions you, as an owner, should take to keep your Golden’s teeth healthy and clean.
The Most Common Dental Problems In Golden Retrievers
These are the most common dental problems that could affect your Golden Retriever:
- Discolored or tartar covered teeth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Swelling in or around the mouth area
- Pain in or around the mouth area
- Loose teeth
- Retained baby teeth
- Broken teeth
- Drooling or abnormal chewing
What Are The Symptoms Of Dental Problems In Golden Retrievers?
As we said, owners often underestimate dental hygiene in Golden Retrievers, and this, in turn, can cause serious harm to the dogs. Here are some of the most common signs you will see when your Golden is suffering from bad dental hygiene.
Bad Breath
You have probably come across this situation at least once in your life. You are communicating with someone, and you suddenly start to notice that this person has bad breath. That is the direct consequence of that person’s bad dental hygiene. The same thing happens with dogs! You, as an owner, should take care of your dog’s dental hygiene and brush its teeth regularly. Also, you need to provide quality dental products, dental supplements, and dental treats.
Inflated and ulcerated mouth and gums
If your Golden Retriever has dental problems, you will start to notice inflammation of his gums, as well as the appearance of ulcers inside your dog’s mouth. This problem should not be ignored as a dog that goes through dental pain can become easily irritated and aggressive. In case you notice ulcers and inflammation inside your dog’s mouth, you need to take him to the vet as soon as possible.
Drooling
Excessive drooling can be caused by some painful dental condition or a piece of food stuck between the dog’s teeth. The best course of action, in this case, is to take your Golden to the vet for a dental examination.
So, How To Keep My Golden’s Teeth Clean And Healthy?
There are three methods you need to apply to keep your Golden’s teeth healthy.
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Frequently
The most important thing you need to know is that human toothpaste is toxic for dogs, so don’t use it under any circumstance. Also, use a toothbrush suited for dogs, these are easy to find and not too expensive. For example, a finger toothbrush is very easy to use, especially for beginners.
Use Dental Care Products
It is also preferable you use dental gels and spray as another layer of protection for your Golden’s teeth. These products will eliminate bad breath and eliminate tartar formation and plaque.
Provide Dental Chew Toys
These toys are just perfect! They provide two things at once, your Golden will have something to play with and chew on, but this will also help remove the plaque and tartar formations.
Conclusion
Dental hygiene is, unfortunately, often overlooked in Golden Retrievers. We need to understand that dental problems can cause many other health issues in Golden Retrievers. Bad dental hygiene is known to cause damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys, so we must prevent this. The same principles you apply to yourself when it comes to dental hygiene, you need to apply to your Golden Retriever, and you will have a healthy and happy dog.