Maintaining Your Dog's Dental Health: Part 1
Many pet owners have been told they must feed a hard, dry kibble in order to maintain a dog's dental health. When it comes down to the nutritional value of a food, however, fresh and raw options are not only better for a dog's overall health but also are better for their teeth. These foods contain little or no preservatives, are made with better ingredients, and are less processed. So, is kibble really the best choice?
First, we should how kibble really does help clean a dog's teeth, if at all. If a dog were to thoroughly chew their kibble, it could possibly scrape some plaque off the crowns of their teeth due to the somewhat abrasive quality of kibble. A dog's teeth are designed for ripping and tearing, however, so most dogs inhale their food and hardly bother with chewing. Even if the kibble may scrape of some plaque, is it really cleaning the teeth?
Unfortunately, kibble does not have much of an effect of the part of the mouth that really counts, the gum line. This is where the build-up of plaque and tartar do the most damage and cause cavities and gum disease. It would therefore be unfair to say that a pet owner is ensuring their dog's teeth are clean just by feeding dry kibble. That would be like arguing humans can keep their teeth clean by eating crackers or crunchy foods.
Those who believe kibble is better for a dog's teeth may also believe that wet food causes bad oral health. A good quality, nutritious wet food, however, does not pose any more of a risk of plaque and tartar build up than kibble. In fact, low quality dog food causes more dental problems due to the ingredients used. When choosing a food, one should focus more on its quality and nutritional value than its crunch.
Finally, it should be understood that good dental hygiene doesn't just come from food. It is important to make sure your dog has bones and safe dog toys to chew on as these will help massage the gums and scrape away soft tartar. One should also brush their dog's teeth and gums regularly, and schedule dental cleanings with a vet every few years to effectively remove any hardened tartar.
A total dental care plan should consist of a healthy diet, available bones and/or chew toys, regular brushings, and routine dental visits to your vet. These steps will not only contribute to your dog's dental health, but to his overall health as well.
