Dental care is important responsibility for pet owners, but too many
owners are not familiar with the steps to maintaining the dental
hygiene of their dog. Your dogs' mouth is a breeding ground for
bacteria, and even though their natural defense systems are very
effective, certain issues can spiral out of control if not recognized
and treated.
Most diseases of the mouth start with the formation of gingivitis.
This is a reddening or swelling of the gums that is often caused by a
buildup of plaque and tarter on the teeth. While the initial stages of
gingivitis are easy to treat, more advanced complications include
tooth loss and jaw bone infections. Early warning signs of this
condition include bad breath, gum bleeding, and even a change in
eating patterns as a result of mouth pain.
Preventing gingivitis and the onset of more severe conditions can be
done by proactively monitoring your dogs' dental health. This starts
with the type of food you feed them. It is important to include plenty
of dry food in the diet. Dry food helps to eliminate plaque and tarter
through the natural chewing process. Even if your dog typically eats
canned food, you can integrate a dry option by mixing it with the
canned products or by offering canned food at only one of their
meals....

http://groups.google.com/group/dogfoodmave