Doggie Dentures – Can You Get False Teeth For Dogs?

Can Dogs Get Dentures?

Yes. Dogs can get dental implants, but this is not a routine procedure, and as a result, you could have difficulty finding someone that does this kind of work. The dentures for dogs procedure is expensive and there are risks involved, and dogs will have difficulty getting used to any kind of false teeth in their mouth.

Now no one has said that False Teeth Options were just for humans. Many of us have canine friends that we dearly love and are part of the family. And after seeing some requests for information on dental care for dogs, I thought I’d put this article together to answer some of the more common questions that dog lovers may have.

The first-ever reported use of false teeth for dogs dates back to 1938 in the United States. The practice never really caught on and is still considered uncommon. Speculation as to why dog owners did not get into the habit of fitting their dogs with dentures is interesting.

Issues With Dentures For Dogs

The concern over the difficulty a dog may have in adapting to false teeth is the number one reason why it is not a normal practice for today’s veterinarians. Accidents, where the dentures could be swallowed, present another difficulty. Then there’s the cost.

Dental appliances for humans are costly. A dog that uses dentures that could regularly get lost, swallowed, or broken would make for an expensive exercise over the course of time. Even if dental implants were an option, a dog’s lifestyle would impact its effectiveness greatly.

There are some vets who support the concept of pet dental implants; however, there are many that do not do this procedure. If your regular vet does not do the implant procedure, then you might have to spend some time looking further afield. There are a number of reasons for this, including:

• It’s tough to see whether or not there is a real benefit to the procedure. Where a dental implant for a human improves one’s smile, increases self-confidence, and reduces speaking and eating problems, pet implants are different.
• The procedure is expensive and carries a lot of risks (with the procedure itself, as well as with aesthetic usages, etc).

A pet implant will provide better chewing ability which could allow you to change their diet from soft to more solid foods, and would improve playtime with dog chew toys and such. However, there is still a risk of the implant becoming damaged and requiring replacement due to rough play. This in itself can make this an expensive option in the long run.

For these reasons, dental implants are not very common, and as such maintaining your pet’s oral hygiene is the best approach.

How Dental Disease Impacts Your Dog

Dogs develop tooth and gum problems from an early age and it reoccurs frequently during their lifespan. Tooth extraction is typically the remedy of choice where damaged teeth are removed in order to save those located near the affected ones. Gum disease is a frequent reason for tooth removal.

Because of the cycle of tooth and gum disease in dogs, it is common for ‘senior’ dogs to have none or few of their teeth. This has an impact on their quality of life and greatly reduces their diet options. Wet or soft foods are all they can safely consume at this stage.

The Alternative To False Teeth For Dogs

Dentures for dogs are not practical, however, there are things you can do to prevent your pet from losing any teeth. There are a number of products available made specifically to address oral hygiene in both dogs and cats. These items are very effective in treating dental issues.

Toothbrushes designed for your pets along with specially formulated toothpaste can remove plaque and tartar, the leading cause of tooth and gum disease. Dental sprays and chew toys round out the options. As the saying goes… “Prevention is better than cure”, so by using a combination of the above, you should be able to remove dog dentures from the list of possible solutions.

Products to Help Reduce Dog Dental Problems

Here is a look at some of the products we have found that will help with your dog’s oral hygiene:

Pedigree Dentatix Small/Medium Dog Treats

These X-shaped dog dental chews are made with a texture that is not only chewy but helps clean between your dog’s teeth all the way to the gum line. The mint flavor is not only tasty, but it also works to combat bad breath, one of the most common dog dental problems.

The manufacturer says these Dentatix dog dental treats have been clinically proven to reduce tartar buildup. They are safe and effective enough to be used as a daily part of your dog’s oral hygiene routine.

For more information on Pedigree Dentastix Dog Dental Treats, click here.

Tropiclean Clean Teeth Oral Care for Dogs

Bad breath may be a signal that your dog may have the early stages of periodontal disease. This product contains a blend of natural ingredients that will go to work as soon as it is applied.

Plaque and tartar are dissolved at a microscopic level so that you can see cleaner teeth in 30 days or less.

For more information on Tropiclean Teeth Gel, click here.

Pet Republique Cat & Dog Finger Toothbrush

Designed to fit over the tip of your finger, these miniature brushes are made from food-grade materials. The bristle hardness is firm enough to effectively remove food particles and tartar without causing harm.

In fact, these are more than just the best dog toothbrush tools available as they actually help you to provide a gentle massage of your dog or cat’s gums.

Pet Republique turns a portion of its profits back into supporting the efforts of the American Animal Rescue Society and supports this product with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

For more information on the Pet Republique Finger Toothbrush, click here.

Pet Republique Cat & Dog Toothbrush

The unique double-headed design of this dog toothbrush provides two different-sized brushes at two ends of a handle. This makes for efficient cleaning with only one tool – the smaller head can go deeper into your pet’s mouth.

The handle is narrow and measures 8 ½-inches in length and is strong enough for brushing the teeth of even the most finicky of your fur babies.

The manufacturer has a money-back guarantee attached to this product and turns a portion of the profit into a donation to support the American Animal Rescue Society.

For more information on the PetRepublique Cat & Dog Toothbrush, click here.

Petrodex Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste

Using a formula that is specially designed for use on pets, this dog toothpaste has a poultry flavor that assists with the brushing process.

The manufacturer states this product will help to control plaque as well as fight bad breath.

It is safe enough to use daily as part of your pet’s regular oral health routine. Although this is marketed as dog toothpaste, it can also be used with cats.

Although this is marketed as dog toothpaste, it can also be used with cats.

For more information on Petrodex Dog Toothpaste, click here.

Premium Pet Dental Spray

Promoted as a ‘pet dentist in a bottle’ this specially formulated dog dental spray is alcohol-free and fights plaque, tartar, and gum disease. It can be added to pet water or sprayed directly along their gums and teeth. It is safe enough to use daily and also combats bad breath.

It tastes great, so your dog will love it as soon as they try it.

The manufacturer has attached a 100-percent lifetime guarantee to this product and donates a portion of the profits to a fund to help with medical costs for pets in need. Known as the Indy Fund, you will receive a photo of the pet your purchase assisted.

For more information on Premium Pet Dental Spray, click here.

Which Dog Dental Chews Are The Best?

If you have been hesitant to let your dog have dental chews, consider this: veterinarians say that dental chews have been proven to be effective tools in combating the development of bacteria growth in a dog’s mouth. According to leading vets, dental chews can decrease the number of bacteria by between 60 and 70 percent. It is recommended that you give your dog a dental chew no more than two or three times a week.

Some of the best dog chews are:

Benebone Bacon Flavored Dental Chew Toy

Featuring an ergonomic design and authentic 100-percent real bacon flavor, this chew toy will keep your pet busy for hours. There are deep grooves built into the shape to allow dogs to increase the amount of surface area they can access.

This provides more flavor and a better tooth and gum workout. Just like chewing gum for humans, the constant chewing action produces saliva which helps to combat the build-up of plaque on teeth and gums.

As this is a dog dental toy and not food, you should replace it as soon as excessive wear marks begin to show.

For more information on the Benebone Dog Dental Chew Toy, click here.

Greenies Original Dental Dog Treats

This brand of dental dog treats tops the list because it comes in many different varieties and sizes. The design of the treats permits dogs to bite down deeply within grooves that help scrub tooth surfaces. They are also soft enough that they bend somewhat so that the chew can reach hard to get at surfaces.

For more information on the Greenies Original Dental Dog Treats, click here.

Yummy Combs Dog Dental Treat

The honeycomb design of this dog dental chew allows teeth to sink into the pockets of the 5-sided honeycomb to scrub around the entire tooth surface. These chews are also double-sided so that when your dog bites into one, both the upper and lower teeth are benefitting from the product.

For more information on the Yummy Combs Dog Dental Treat, click here.

C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews

The toothbrushing texture of these dog chews works great at scrubbing tooth surfaces. The chews also contain a series of enzymes in the formula that is specifically intended to fight plaque. Vets recommend this chew because of the enzyme action and how it essentially wipes out plaque before it can take hold.

For more information on the C.E.T. Enzymatic Oral Hygiene Chews, click here.

Doggie Dentures FAQs

The Best Solution For Your Pet’s Oral Hygiene

While you may think that dental implants for dogs are the best option for your pet, the procedure is not commonly done and many veterinary dentists do not perform the procedure. However, the best thing to do is to have a conversation with your vet to discuss whether this is the best option for your dog.

Just as your dentist would advise the best way to keep your teeth strong and healthy is to keep them clean, your vet would say the same about your dog’s teeth. Daily brushings, with toothbrushes and toothpaste, made just for pets is a good habit to form. By practicing good dental hygiene for your canine companion, you should be able to avoid resorting to dentures for dogs.

Supplementing brushing with dental spray, dental chews, and dog dental toys designed to clean teeth and massage gums will also assist. By keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy you will never have to ever consider the possibility of false teeth for dogs or cats.