It’s not just the nation’s children who suffer from rotten teeth - it seems our pets are also at risk.
For a study has revealed two thirds of dog owners don’t brush their mutt’s teeth and vets are now treating 11 cases of dog tooth and gum disease a week.
And one in six vets deal with 20 or more canines a week suffering from dental problems.
According to research by insurer Direct Line, two thirds of vets are urging owners to brush their dog’s teeth every day while one in seven are calling for twice a day cleaning.
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Those owners who do get their pooch’s toothbrush out, only manage to clean their pet’s teeth twice a week on average.
But the simple task could save Brit’s up to £300 in vet’s fees to treat decay and disease.
Poor dental hygiene can even lead to death as a build up of plaque causes the gums to recede and allows bacteria to enter the bloodstream and attack the heart.
5 tell tale signs of doggy dental problems
- Blood on their toys
- Facial swelling
- Dropping food
- Favouring one side of the mouth
- Bad breath
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Why owners don't brush
TV vet and animal welfare campaigner Marc Abraham said: “There are three main reasons owners give for not cleaning their dog’s teeth - the dog doesn’t like it, it takes too much time or they feed their dog dried food so feel they don’t need to.
“None of these are good enough excuses. With positive reinforcement, using treats and praise, most dogs even end up enjoying their daily tooth brushing.
“However dry your dog’s food is, it is never a substitute for actually physically cleaning your dog’s teeth.”
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