Seriously, good oral hygiene for your Golden Retriever is like adding extra years to the end of their life, and the best way to ensure good oral hygiene can be summarized by the following in the order of their importance:
- Annual visits (or more often if needed) to the veterinarian for teeth cleanings -
Regular teeth cleanings keep the teeth and gums healthy in probably the most significant way, and most importantly, make sure your veterinarian has a tooth polisher that is used in the cleaning process. If the teeth are not polished after the scraping process, it will leave micro-pores on the surface of the tooth which will trap food particles and accelerate tooth decay. So insist on this when you talk to your vet. Also be aware that anesthesia will be required in order to have your Golden's teeth cleaned. Read our article on, "Anesthesia: What You Should Know For Your Golden Retriever" - Brush their teeth weekly with a tooth brush -
For this we like to use a special tooth brush for dogs that has two sets of opposing bristles so that both the front and back of the teeth are brushed at the same time. This makes the whole process quicker and more thorough. For toothpaste we recommend Virbac, Sentry Petrodex, or Arm & Hammer Pet Toothpaste. - Use dry dog food instead of wet dog food -
Why is dry dog food better? Because wet dog food has a greater tendency to leave residues on the teeth due to its wet, paste-like texture, whereas dry kibbles tend to scrape the teeth as the kibbles are chewed thus keeping the teeth cleaner between brushings. You may also want to read our article on, "Grain-Free Dog Food" - Give good chew treats such as raw hides or beef knuckles -
Chew treats are imperative to maintain good oral hygiene because the chews clean the teeth and exercise both the teeth and gums, promoting good blood circulation and removal of plaque and tarter. Read our article on, "Beef Rawhide Chews Are Excellent For Golden Retrievers"
We are exclusively a Golden Retriever Breeder of AKC pure bred Golden Retrievers and we have Golden Retriever Puppies For Sale in Connecticut and Illinois.
* Photo credit by Spikeyyy on imgur.com
