Beagle 101: Keeping Those Beagle Smiles
We all know that cute beagle smile, but sometimes it can have a few missing teeth. Several of our senior beagles have had to face multiple extractions due to dental disease from past neglect. Our poor little Maggie had all but three teeth pulled recently. Amazingly, her appetite is back, and she is gumming her kibble with gusto! This is a good time to review proper care for the health of your beagle’s teeth, so he/she doesn’t lose almost all of her teeth like Maggie. Proper dental care for your beagle is essential to prevent painful periodontal disease, tooth loss, and systematic infections. It involves a combination of daily at-home teeth brushing, specialized chews, and regular professional cleanings. No matter how much at-home dental care you provide for your dog, tartar will still build up over time on your dog’s teeth. The bacteria can make its way beneath the gum line to infect the tooth roots and spread into the blood stream. Once in the blood, bacteria will circulate and seed other organ systems like the heart and kidneys. Dogs with dental disease are significantly more likely to develop diseases like chronic kidney disease and heart disease.
Here are some recommended tips on how to prevent dental disease in beagles.
At-Home Dental Care
- Toothbrushing: Brush your beagle’s teeth daily using a soft-bristled brush and pet-safe enzymatic toothpaste like poultry or peanut butter flavored. Never use human toothpaste as ingredients like fluoride and foaming agents are toxic to dogs.
- Dental Chews: Approved chews are VOHC Accepted Products seal are excellent for scrubbing and tartar reduction.
- Water Additives: Odorless, tasteless additives can be placed directly into your beagle’s drinking water to fight bacteria.
Professional Dental Cleanings
In your beagle’s annual wellness exam, your vet will check the teeth visually. By age 3, most dogs show some signs of dental disease. Your vet will recommend the appropriate dental procedures to remove hardened tartar and clean beneath the gum line.
- What to expect: Vets perform these procedures und general anesthesia to ensure safety and comfort. They will also take x-rays to check the tooth roots and jawbone. Note: American Veterinary Dental College does not recommend cleanings without anesthesia because they do not allow cleaning or inspection below the gumline, where most dental disease occurs, and can result in injury to the dog or the person performing the procedures.
Following these recommendations can protect your beagle’s teeth and health so they keep that beautiful beagle smile!
