Did you know that your dog could have a chipped or even fractured tooth and you might not even know it? Over time, plaque can decay your dog’s teeth, but you’d never know because dogs don’t traditionally show pain. You need to take care of your dog’s teeth to make sure they’re happy and healthy.

Put a Water Supplement In
A water supplement will control tartar on your dog’s teeth. Water supplements are also a great way to reduce dog breath, if you want to make your dog a little more pleasant to wake up next to. You can get supplements that are poured into your dog’s bowl periodically to keep their teeth clean and shiny.

Get the Right Chews
Avoid chews that are too hard as your dog can damage their teeth. Always make sure that you watch your dog when they are chewing, because they can hurt themselves. But chews given daily can clean the plaque off their teeth and prevent long-term buildup.

Get an Annual Cleaning
Just like people, dogs need annual cleanings. Make sure your dog is taken in for a cleaning; they may need mild sedation, but that’s still better than having dirty teeth! Most owners just can’t clean their teeth as effectively as a vet can. You should do this more frequently for older dogs. At this time, the vet will check for more serious gum and teeth issues.

Brush Their Teeth
Most owners aren’t going to do this every day, though it’s best to do so. But you can get an enzymatic cleaner and brush your dog’s teeth once a day or once a week, it’ll help. With an enzyme cleaner you don’t really need to dig deep into your dog’s mouth. You just need to gently brush it across the teeth.

Doggy dental care is very important. Gum and tooth disease doesn’t just hurt your dog. It can also lead to more serious issues, such as infection and even death. If nothing else, take your dog into the vet every year and ask them if there are things you could be doing to protect your dog’s oral health. Your dog may be unique. Smaller dogs, for instance, often need teeth pulled because their mouths are smaller. Larger dogs may be more prone to getting chips and cracks. Your vet knows your dog’s issues best!