Boston Terrier

Boston Terrier Dental Care

The Boston Terrier’s Mouth

Boston Terriers share many common dental characteristics with their human companions, including gum disease, gingivitis, periodontal disease, and tooth fractures.

There are several noted differences

• Boston Terriers usually do not get cavities
• An adult Boston Terrier has 44 teeth (humans have only 32)
• A Boston Terriers teeth are designed for their carnivorous (meat-eating) diet and humans teeth are designed for their omnivorous (eating meat and vegetables) diets

Like humans, a Boston Terrier’s teeth can loosen in their sockets, opening the opportunity for infection. This infection can travel through the bloodstream and cause kidney and heart disease. Antibiotics can suppress the infection, but only tartar removal can prevent recurrence.

The second biggest problem for the Boston Terrier’s teeth is tooth fracture. A Boston Terrier can break their teeth surprisingly easy by crunching down on rocks, bones, and other tough substances.

Supplies Needed

A canine toothbrush or child’s soft toothbrush.

A finger brush.

Toothpaste for dogs comes in several flavors.

a. Nutri-Vet Canine Toothpaste, Chicken Flavor
b. Canine Enzymatic Toothpaste
c. KissAble Toothpaste
d. CET Pet Toothpaste
e. Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste
f. Triple Pet All Natural Toothpaste
g. Virbac Toothpaste Dog – Natural

A good canine diet.

Adequate clean water.

A large dose of love, patience, sweet talking, and praise.

Your Boston Terrier’s Dental Care Begins With Proper Diet

Dental distress can be caused by the wrong kind of foods. The mild abrasiveness of dry food can help remove the bacterial plaque that can harden into tartar. Dry food also provides adequate chewing exercise and stimulation.

Feeding your pet sweets and table scraps may increase plaque and tartar formation. So avoid feeding your pet these items.

If your Boston Terrier is prone to dental problems your veterinarian may recommend a special dry food designed to reduce plaque and tartar.

Tartar buildup can be reduced by modifications in diet, but only regular brushing can reach the critical areas at and below the gum line.

Brushing Your Boston Terrier’s Teeth

Brushing your Boston Terrier’s teeth may be easier than brushing your own. Your Boston’s teeth are narrow and more widely spaced, so the need for flossing is eliminated.

There are several noted differences in brushing your Boston’s teeth as opposed to brushing your own teeth. Because your Boston cannot rinse or spit out toothpaste, the toothpaste must be specially designed for dogs. Human toothpastes can irritate your Boston’s stomach and fluoride can cause mottling of the tooth enamel.

Getting Started

For the first few dental care sessions with your dog, do not even use a toothbrush.

The first step is selecting a good time. This should be a time in which the dog is relaxed, drowsy is good.

Gently stroke the outside of your Boston’s cheeks with the tip of your finger.

When your Boston becomes comfortable with that, place a small dab of toothpaste on your fingertip. Let your dog sniff it and then lick it off. Repeat this process several times.

Do not rush your Boston. Be patient. The last thing you will want is for your dental care time to be traumatic. You should not have to force your Boston. It may take days or weeks before your Boston becomes comfortable. You may need to back up and try days or weeks of gently stroking on the outside of their cheeks.

Gently rub several teeth with your fingers and a small dab of toothpaste.

Gradually increase the number of teeth brushed.

Remember, it is extremely important to brush the back teeth where plaque and tartar have an increased tendency to accumulate.
Go slowly. Stop brushing after just a few minutes and long before you Boston begins to fuss.

If your Boston begins to dislike the procedure, back up to the step of gently stroking the outside of your Boston’s cheeks with the tip of your finger. Repeat this step for days or weeks until your Boston again becomes comfortable with you manipulating their mouth area.

Always remember to be patient. You do not want this time to be wrought with anxiety for both you and your Boston.

Next, introduce a small dab of toothpaste on a toothbrush to your Boston’s mouth. When your dog has tasted the toothpaste, reapply a small dab to the toothbrush and brush gently in a circular motion to their front teeth. Praise your Boston often, stroke their neck gently, speak softly. When your Boston is relaxed, pull their lips and cheek back gently to gain access to the side and back teeth. Brush softly.

Boston Terriers do not accumulate much tartar on the inside of their teeth, so it is important to worry only about the outside surfaces. The back teeth are very important.

Try to make your Boston’s dental care time pleasurable. Stop each session and lavishly praise your dog.

Your Boston Terrier may actually start to look forward to their dental care time.

Consult your Boston’s Veterinarian for brushing frequency. Most will recommend at least twice a week. Boston’s with stubborn dental problems may need more frequent dental care.

While brushing your Boston’s teeth twice a week may seem daunting, it will become easier with practice and patience. By caring for your Boston’s dental hygiene, you will assure good dental health, and may prevent more serious dental and medical problems as they age.

Professional Dental Cleanings

Consult with your veterinarian to determine frequency of needed professional dental care. Most will recommend an interval of one to three years.

Professional dental care is performed under general anesthesia. It will consist of scaling (to remove tartar above and below the gum line); polishing (to smooth the surface of your Boston’s teeth); and flushing (to dislodge both tartar and bacteria).

A professional dental cleaning may consist of:

a. Anesthetizing your Boston Terrier.
b. Taking x-rays to assess the health of their teeth and surround bone areas.
c. Flushing their mouth with antibacterial solution to kill bacteria
d. Using an ultrasonic scaler to clean the teeth.
e. Polishing the teeth to remove scratches
f. Examining each tooth and the surrounding gums for signs of disease
g. Reflushing the mouth again with the antibacterial solution.
h. Applying a dental agent to retard plaque buildup.
i. Documenting any abnormalities on your Boston’s chart.
j. Recommending follow-up and determining a home care regimen for your Boston Terrier.

The typical cost of a professional veterinarian’s dental care for your Boston Terrier is between $70 and $350. Costs may increase if your veterinarian may determines that your dog may need pre-anesthesia blood work. A need for a more extensive cleaning may also increase the costs.

February

Remember that February is National Canine Dental Month.

If you have not had, your Boston Terriers’ teeth examined by your veterinarian, then now is an excellent time. They may recommend a home care regimen that will prevent further problems.
Glossary

Plaque – a film of saliva, mucus, bacteria, and food residues that builds up on the surface of teeth and can cause gum disease.

Tartar – a hard deposit of mostly organic material that forms on teeth at the gum line and contributes to dental decay if not regularly removed.

About the Author

The carbohydrate and diabetes series are part of a book. If you interested in obtaining a preview copy email me at: LuYoungRN@yahoo.com

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