Dog Dental Care for Your Boston Terrier

Regular dog dental care for your Boston Terrier is essential for his health. Here's what you need to know about your Boston's teeth and dog dental care

When puppies are first born, they have no teeth. Their baby teeth come in at about four weeks of age. As their teeth come in, they may hurt the mother as they nurse. However, puppies need to chew in order to develop the muscles and skills they need to go out into the world. They use their mouths to decide what is food, and what is not. They chew on objects to explore their world.

Puppies begin losing their baby teeth at about four month old. Sometimes these teeth do not come out on their own, resulting in what's called a "retained deciduous tooth". This can cause gum infections by trapping debris between the new permanent tooth and the retained baby tooth. Puppies should be given chew toys. They will have less chance of retained teeth and will also be less destructive with their chewing.

During the puppy's first year, your veterinarian will inspect the lips, teeth and mouth during regular routine visits for vaccinations. In addition, you will need to do regular home dental care to keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy.

Examine your dog's mouth weekly to check for sores, foreign objects and tooth problems. Consult your veterinarian if your dog drools excessively, shakes his head frequently, or has bad breath.

At six months, your dog will have his permanent teeth, and plaque may begin to accumulate. This is when it is most critical to form good dog dental care habits.

Brushing:

Brushing is the best way to clean your dogs teeth. Ideally, you will want to brush your dog's teeth twice a week. Here are some tips:

• Choose a time when you and your dog are both relaxed.
• The first few times, don't use a toothbrush - just hold your dog and rub your finger along the outside of her cheeks. Then, put a small amount of a dog toothpaste on your finger and let her taste it.
• Next, put a small amount of toothpaste on the toothbrush (or a finger brush) and brush a couple of teeth (and the gums) in a circular motion. This will help your dog get a feel for the brush.
• Increase the number of teeth you brush each time, eventually reaching all the way to the back teeth.
• Work up to brushing for 30 seconds on each side.
• Concentrate on the outside of the teeth; dogs don't get much tartar on the inside.
• Brushing will quickly become a routine for you and your BT - and it will get easier over time. Just stick with it!
• Praise your dog heartily after every brushing and make it fun!

C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Poultry Kit C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kits are the perfect way to start a program of regular oral hygiene. The kits are specifically designed to meet the needs and tastes of both dogs and cats.

Dog Dental Care Exams:

Your Boston should have his teeth examined once a year by your veterinarian. If he finds periodontal disease, a cleaning will be required. This cleaning is done under anesthetic and includes scaling the teeth to remove calculus and possibly root planing. The teeth will be polished and treated with fluoride. A medicated mouth rinse or antibiotics may be prescribed if there is advanced disease.

Chew Toys:

Because dogs naturally love to chew, chewing toys are a perfect addition to your canine dental care regimen, and will help keep plaque buildup to a minimum. Make sure your dog's chew toys are clean and not excessively worn.

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