VitaHound » Dog Health

Cleaning Dog Teeth and Periodontal Health

bigdog — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 01:55:40 +0000

A dog’s health is influenced by the condition of their teeth and gums. Cleaning a dog’s teeth properly requires an understanding of the factors that cause a dog’s oral health to suffer. The accumulation of plaque and tarter on a dog’s teeth and gums encourages the onset of periodontal disease. The symptoms of this disease are visible in the dog’s gum tissue, swollen and inflamed gums indicate the gums are receding and pockets of harmful bacteria have reached very unhealthy levels. Bacteria flourishes in the presence of plaque, eventually plaque attracts calcium salts producing a mineralized substance known as tarter. Untreated plaque and tarter builds up between gum tissue and the bone structure of the dog’s teeth causing separation. The separation causes pockets to form producing a reservoir of saliva. These pockets increase the unhealthy bacteria load in dog’s oral bacterial flora causing the rate of plaque formation to reach levels detrimental to a dog’s overall health. Controlling the levels of harmful bacteria in a dog’s mouth interrupts the unhealthy progression of plaque and tarter on a dog’s teeth and gums.

Canine dentistry cleanings remove surface plaque and tarter reducing the damaging effects on a dog’s general health, however recent advancements in the understanding of dog’s oral biochemistry has resulted in alternative treatments. All natural sprays and gels have been developed for continual use in canine oral care.

These products utilize powerful antioxidants combined with natural antiseptics; the combination of these substances creates an effective treatment for a dog’s oral hygiene care, VitaHound Currently recommends the use of Petzlife products for cleaning a dog’s teeth. The formulations compatibility with the chemistry in a dog’s saliva enables the natural antiseptics to integrate into the saliva and act as an antibacterial agent.

The consistent use of these sprays and gels establishes the products antibacterial agents as a primary component in the dog’s oral bacterial flora. The antibacterial agents are distributed below the gumline into the pockets of bacteria loaded saliva, the agents destroy the harmful bacteria preventing the formation of plaque at the source.

The products continued use unburdens the dog’s gum tissue from the damaging effects of destructive bacteria, allowing the tissue to assist in providing for a dog’s overall oral health. Receding gums from disease is a common factor in tooth loss. When plaque and tartar accumulates on your dog’s teeth, swollen and inflamed gums may cause the teeth to bleed. If this problem is not treated, it can lead to receding gum lines and the ligaments which hold the teeth in may become damaged, eventually causing the teeth to fall out.

Bad Breath in Dogs Caused by Unhealthy PH Levels

bigdog — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:20:51 +0000

The proper PH levels in dog’s mouth are responsible for preventing the unhealthy conditions that affect a dog’s teeth and gums. These conditions include plaque and tarter, gingivitis, and bad breath in dogs. Healthy PH levels in a dog’s mouth assist in the healing and regeneration of the oral tissue that supports the structure of a dog’s teeth. Cleaning a dog’s teeth involves the mechanical removal of dental plaque and tarter from a dog’s teeth by the physical process of brushing, while this traditional method of oral hygiene reduces a dog’s bad breath and chance of developing gingivitis it does not improve the health of the tissue in a dogs mouth.
Bad breath in dogs is a symptom of high levels of harmful bacteria present in the pockets of saliva located below the gums line where brushing does not reach, both brushing and saliva fail to neutralize acids (pH Levels) inside microscopic fissures on chewing surfaces causing the demineralizing of the dog’s tooth. pH level below 5.5 in the dog’s mouth supports much higher levels of bacterial colonies. A dog’s saliva acts as a buffer, altering the pH level the dog’s mouth preventing plaque from attaching to the dog’s teeth and assisting in the mineralizing of the tooth’s surface. The components of a dog’s saliva is designed to control external bacteria via licking wounds, but lacks the ability to overcome the effects a dog’s diet has on their mouths pH level.
Utilizing dog oral care sprays and gels that help control the pH level of dog’s oral flora can significantly lower the level of harmful bacteria in their mouth. This eliminates the bad breath in dogs that results from the presence of this harmful bacteria.

Anesthesia Considerations in Cleaning Dogs’ Teeth

bigdog — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:17:24 +0000

Dogs and cats need to be anesthetized for lengthy painful surgical procedures; however general anesthesia is now being routinely used as a chemical restraint in short-duration treatments. A majority of veterinarians now consider a typical dog teeth cleaning cause for the dog to be unconscious. While the veterinarian profession asserts the need to evaluate the dog’s cardiovascular and respiratory condition in combination to their medical history, many believe a complete examination is unnecessary and may only do a simple blood test. Because the cost of cleaning a dog’s teeth is already on the upper limit of a many dog owner’ budgets, even the simple biochemical assessment to analyze various elements in a dog’s blood is being skipped. Although there is evidence that longer and more involved procedures place dogs at greater risk, short-duration procedures are not inherently safe. Anesthesia used during short-duration procedures can contribute to complications and even and death. Since the short duration of dog teeth cleaning procedures does not reduce the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory derangements associated with anesthesia it is irresponsible to take short cuts aimed at cost savings.

Plaque Composition on a Dog’s Teeth

bigdog — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 19:48:43 +0000

The extracellular layer that protects the dental plaque(bacteria) on a dog’s teeth is the primary reason a majority of canine oral care products do little to remove plaque and tarter on dog’s teeth and gums. VitaHound’s recent advances in cleaning a dog’s teeth are based on the recognition that dental plaque is a biofilm protect by a extracellular slime layer that acts as a barrier to antibiotics, antimicrobials, and a host of natural defense mechanisms. Changes in thinking about the structure of dental plaque have improved VitaHound’s understanding of why periodontitis is so difficult to treat and has allowed our staff to identify the best formulations to prevent and control periodontitis over the lifetime of a dog.

Bacteria may be free-floating or attached to a surface. Recent studies have revealed that most bacteria live in complex communities called biofilms. A biofilm is a well-organized community of bacteria that adheres to surfaces and is embedded in an extracellular slime layer. This slime layer repels the active ingredients in many of today’s products marketed to clean a dog’s teeth. Once a bacterium attaches to a dog’s tooth surface, it activates a whole different set of genes that gives the bacterium different characteristics form those that it had as a free-floating organism. Bacteria are extremely vulnerable until they attach to a surface, it is estimated that 99% of live bacteria is attached to a surface.

The structure of biofilm represents a community that facilitates and protects existing attached bacteria while providing the habitat for new bacteria to attach and survive. The community comprises bacterial micro colonies, an extracellular slime layer, fluid channels, and a primitive communication system. Different micro colonies may contain different combinations of bacterial species. Thus the biofilm structure provides a range of customized living environments with different pHs, nutrient availability, and oxygen. Both anaerobic and aerobic bacteria are supported in this environment.

Controlling or destroying bacteria before it attaches to an existing bio film can be accomplished with fairly mild antiseptics, after the bacteria attached to the bio film its durability increase dramatically. Bacteria begin to attach to the tooth’s surface within minutes of being introduced into a dog’s mouth. Reducing the amount of existing plaque and polishing the tooth’s surface increase the amount of time bacteria takes to attach to the surface. Utilizing oral care sprays and gels that act as anti-bacterial agents in dog’s saliva are very effective at destroying bacteria before it attaches to the tooth’s surface.

Petzlife, Plaque Attack, C.E.T.

bigdog — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 03:45:42 +0000

The level of health care provided to the pet dog has been increasing for the past 30 years. Today’s dog enjoys regular hygiene care for their skin and coats, teeth, and ears. These care regimens not only improve the hygiene of the family dog it is significantly improving the typical dog’s health and well-being. For example, current canine oral care products provide an easy and effective method for eliminating the harmful bacteria in a dog’s mouth that causes plaque and tarter buildup.
Modern bio-chemistry has discovered all natural substances that are outstanding for preventing the various diseases that occur on the teeth and gums of dogs. The most notable manufactures of dog oral care sprays and gels include Petzlife, Plague Attack, and LebaIII. These products overcome drawbacks of past dog oral care products that involved brushing, harsh chemicals, or expensive veterinarian dentistry.
A dog’s mouth maintains an oral flora of bacteria intended to assist in a dog’s digestive process. Plaque and tarter accumulate on dog’s teeth and gums when the amount of harmful bacteria reaches unhealthy levels, the excess bacteria is responsible for the bad breath in dogs and is the contents of plague. Plaque is difficult to remove due to an extracellular slime layer that acts as a protective barrier that surrounds the mushroom shaped bacterial microcolonies know as plaque. Petzlife and Plaque attack contain grape seed extract (GSE) is a well-known substance known for its high concentration of polyphenols (97%). GSE is effective at penetrating the biofilm that protects plaque. This extracellular biofilm is a very complex and gives bacteria protection against the antimicrobial or antiseptic ingredients used in dog oral care products.

It is the polyphenolic agents found in Plaque Attack and Petzlife dog oral care treatments that work synergistically with anti-bacterial substances that produce highly advanced formulations. The Plaque Attack and Petzlife oral care sprays and gels are proven highly effectual at eliminating the plaque and tarter that leads to periodontal disease in dogs.

Leading pet health products companies are committed to providing consumers pet health products, to be considered best-in-class the harmful side effects of human type treatments need to be removed. Our pets are unable to indicate to their owners if they are experiencing the harmful consequences of the harsh chemicals used in traditional drug remedies. Both the Petzlife and Plaque Attack organizations are dedicated to utilizing only all natural ingredients in their formulations.

Modern Oral Hygiene Care For Dogs

bigdog — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:23:43 +0000

Today’s dog owner is now responsible for the health and well-being of an animal with an increasing life span. The VitaHound organization advises dog owners to consider the digestive health of their dogs as the foundation to their dog’s physical well-being.
Thereafter a dog’s oral health becomes important for supporting the physiology of longer living canines. The most prevalent disease in companion animals is periodontal disease. The modern dog’s diet and lack of oral
care combined with their increasing life spans is resulting in many dog’s suffering from advanced stages of periodontal disease and the associative ailments that result. The unhealthy environment in dog’s mouth not only leads to various oral diseases it stresses several of the organ systems in a dog’s body increasing the chance of chronic disease development.

The immune mediated disease processes until recently left undiagnosed in dog’s suffering from oral health problems. These conditions include chronic ulcerative paradental stomatitis (CUPS) and pemphigoid-type diseases. These ailments inflict debilitating conditions on dog’s physical strength and cause a high level of stress on a dog’s health. Therefor it is important for dog owners to recognize conditions in dog’s teeth and gums that indicate the onset of serious disease.

A second aspect of a dog’s oral health overlooked in the past was the presence of cavities. It was commonly believed it was rare for dog’s to develop cavities however this has proven to be wrong.

If owners do not discover their dog’s cavities early the ongoing tooth decay leads to structural damage, tooth infection, tooth death and infection. The proper care of a dog’s teeth and gums requires the use of anti-bacterial agents that are both safe and effective at eliminating the harmful bacteria in dog’s mouth.

Currently Petzlife oral care sprays and gels offer the most effective formulations. The regular use of these products provides many opportunities to examine a dog’s teeth and gums for the early signs of disease. Detecting the initial stages of periodontal disease, cavities, or infection is highly advantages to successfully treating the disease and minimizing both the pain and adverse health effects on the dog.

Four Stages of Canine Periodontal Disease

bigdog — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:03:53 +0000

Cleaning Dog Teeth

Staff — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 04:13:48 +0000

A vital aspect of the dog’s physiology is its dependency on various bacteria to assist in a mixture of biological operations. A canine’s oral health is highly reliant on the existence of so called beneficial bacteria. The presence of harmful bacterium establishes the conditions for an unhealthy mouth by allowing the buildup of plaque on a dog’s teeth and gums.

The plaque in a dog’s mouth consists of colonies of bacteria, mixed with saliva, blood cells, and other bacterial components. Dental Tarter, or calculus, occurs when plaque becomes mineralized (hard) and firmly adheres to the tooth enamel then erodes the gingival tissue. These unhealthy conditions will lead to sever stages of periodontal disease and can severely affect your dog’s health.

The brown coloration on your dog’s gums is dental calculus, beyond the severe consequences to a dog’s health, the calculus is the cause of their foul breath. Tarter eventually leads to periodontal diseases, including infections that are introduced into the bloodstream causing stress throughout the body.

The harmful bacteria that results in periodontal disease, distresses nearly seventy percent of dogs. This overwhelming stat creates tough odds for dogs as they age. Since the bacteria that causes periodontal disease also negatively effects a dog’s GI tract, the practice of cleaning your dog’s teeth is vital to their health.

Naturopathic products for cleaning dog teeth are highly effective when used daily. Seek out products with no harsh chemicals, no sugar, no artificial dyes, flavorings, preservatives, or fragrances. You will be applying the product daily with the primary objective of eliminating destructive bacteria, and you do not want to be introducing other toxins via the product you choose.

Dog owners need to choose products that include the ingredients chlorophyll, parsley, and mint. Plant oils are also beneficial rose mary, thyme, and neem are known to inhibit the growth of bad bacteria and viruses. The debate over fluorides safety continues but it is widely accepted as a substance not safe for use on dogs.

Naturopathic approaches to cleaning dog teeth utilize plant enzymes which function to breakup plaque. The enzyme glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase applied daily to a dog’s teeth and gums will break down newly formed tarter before it hardens. Cleaning dog teeth needs to be done daily, VitaHound recommends treating a dog’s teeth with superior dog oral care products including PetzLife Oral Care sprays and gels.

Dog Bad Breath Remedies

Staff — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 06:20:50 +0000

Dog Bad Breath Remedies

VitaHound’s extensive research in canine oral health has discovered highly effectual substances that are completely organic. VitaHound then used these findings to determine the best dog bad breath remedies. Our research verified the ingredient requirements to develop advanced formulated canine oral sprays. The substances in these sprays and gels end bad breath in dogs; the all-natural ingredients kill harmful bacteria on contact that are the primary cause of canine oral diseases.

Dog Bad Breath Remedies:

Reduce Harmful Bacteria in Blood Stream
Prevent Oral Cavity Infections
Prevent Perodontial Disease
Ease Inflammation in Gums
Natural Ingredients Provide Great Breath

Order Now

Ingredients Directions Description Web Wide Reviews

Bad Breath In Dogs

bigdog — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 20:51:42 +0000

Bad Breath in Dogs

VitaHound Offers Relief From Bad Breath In Dogs

VitaHound research has discovered a spray that is specially formulated to end bad breath in dogs; the all-natural ingredients kill harmful bacteria on contact, breaking up the plaque on a dog’s teeth and gums. The buildup of plaque on dog’s teeth is the primary cause of the conditions that lead to bad breath in dogs.

PetzLife Sprays & Gels:

Reduce Harmful Bacteria in Blood Stream
Prevent Oral Cavity Infections
Prevent Perodontial Disease
Ease Inflammation in Gums
Natural Ingredients Provide Great Breath

Order Now

Ingredients Directions Description Web Wide Reviews