Teeth

One of the most important things you can do when you own a puppy is look in the puppy’s mouth on a weekly basis. Check the teeth and gums. Their should be no smell coming from the mouth. Sometimes meat or bone can be lodged in a tooth and we do not notice immediately if the dog is not in any discomfort. If a dog paws at its mouth or opens its mouth time and time again have a look inside.
Puppies loose teeth early on approx 10 weeks you may find the odd tooth missing. Where do the teeth go? Most likely dogs eat them unknowing. But you may find the odd tooth on the floor. This teething stage varies between animal, and some at 5 months are only getting their adult teeth.
A dog should have 42 teeth in its mouth. Of course you do not have to count teeth.
By opening your puppy’s mouth earlier on, will allow your dog to accept its mouth being looked in when it is older. Teeth cleaning again can start young so they get used to having a toothbrush on the teeth. You can buy doggy toothbrushes from pet shops. Plus toothpaste for dogs.
If you get a build up of plaque on the tooth and your dog will allow you can pick plaque off. Their are handy tooth de-scalers available from groomers online. Simply wait until evening when the dog is resting and have a little pick off the plaque.
If it builds up and you can not do it, your vet will be able to clean the dogs teeth for you. It is not cheap however.
You can buy denta sticks in various forms. I prefer Whimzee vegetable made chews. I also find toys which help with the chewing and of course their is nothing as good as a large raw meaty bone.
Their are even additives to food which can help reduce plaque. Plaque off is one such powder. But check www.dorwest.com for any handy ideas they have for natural additives which help teeth.
If your adult dog knocks a tooth out, then their is not a lot you can do. Some people do have dentistry done on their dogs at great costs with specialists. But so long as the dogs not in any pain the area will heal up just as we do, and feel better in a few weeks. But check no infection occurs and if it does then VET.