Would you eat chips to clean your teeth? Of course not. Crunchy food doesn’t clean your teeth, and it doesn’t your dog’s teeth either. Actually, dry hard food is more likely to remain wedged in teeth and gums. That can become a problem.
Improper care of your dog’s teeth and gums can lead to a host of issues. Bad breath, one of the more obvious signs of poor oral hygiene, is often caused by poorly digested food remaining in the mouth for longer periods of time. And the staining you sometimes see around the mouth is caused by bacteria. The bacteria that causes staining, inflammation, and odor can also cause widespread infection.
In addition, poor oral health can lead to loose, broken, or lost teeth, which can cause pain and trouble eating. That’s the last thing you want for your dog.
So what can you do? Brushing teeth and gums regularly is a must for good oral health for your dog. And remember…
What your dog eats counts, too.
The Trouble with Kibble
Let’s go beyond that mistaken idea that dry, crunchy food like kibble cleans teeth. Besides getting wedged in the teeth and gums, many dry foods contain many heavily processed carbohydrates, which can lead to plaque build up. This, in turn, can cause tooth and gum disease.
The Benefits of Fresh Food
Fresh food, on the other hand, is more easily chewed and digested. That means undigested food is far less likely to stay in the mouth and cause problems. Another plus is that soft food isn’t as likely to get wedged between teeth and gums.
Fresh dog foods made with real, whole ingredients may naturally contain probiotics and enzymes that help break down food, giving fresh dog food another edge on keeping the teeth and gums healthy. And don’t forget about the vitamins and minerals found in fresh foods. Calcium, phosphorus, and B-complex vitamins help keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy. My Perfect Pet blends include the right mix of vitamins and minerals for your dog’s overall health, including oral health.
Switching to fresh whole foods improves breath and, more importantly, improves the overall condition of teeth and gums, and contributes to overall better health.
So definitely brush your dog’s teeth regularly—and remember to fill up her bowl with fresh highly digestible dog food for healthy teeth and gums.