Dog bad breath is a common complaint of pet owners. It’s so common, in fact, that most people think it’s just normal for dogs to have a foul breath. Unfortunately, many owners ignore the condition, inadvertently leaving their dog at risk of developing serious illnesses.

Dog bad breath is a sign of a condition that requires attention. There are numerous things that can cause it, apart from the recent meal your dog ate.

Some common conditions include:

- An infected tooth

- A broken or cracked tooth

- Oral injuries, abscesses and inflammation

- Cancer

- Gingivitis

- Periodontal disease

In most cases, these conditions can be treated effectively if they are caught early. If they go untreated, your dog will suffer more than a toothache.

When inflammation and infection occur, the toxin circulates throughout the dog’s body. In time, it can cause kidney failure and other organ damage.

A broken tooth allows bacteria to enter the softer areas of the tooth and cause decay. The decay can spread through the tooth and kill the root. It can create painful and infected gums which can spread from one tooth to another.

Injuries to soft tissue can cause inflammation and infection.

Gingivitis and periodontal disease can trigger massive damage to your dog’s teeth, gums, bones and entire body as the poisons spread. The poisons can cause toxicity throughout your dog. As the poison makes its way into the gums, it destroys the jawbone. In severe cases, multiple organ failure can result.

One way you can protect your dog is through proper diet and restricting the types of items your dog chews. Dog teeth cleaning is a great benefit. Not only do you clear away food particles and plaque build-up. The process enables you to check your dog’s mouth for any damage to the gums, soft tissue and teeth, and to spot hard objects that might be trapped between teeth.

Stay away from feeding your dog improper foods that can damage your dog’s teeth. This includes avoiding bones, hard chew toys and sticks as they can damage the teeth and cause injuries inside the mouth.

Dog teeth cleaning is highly recommended. Dog bad breath can be minimized if you clean the teeth regularly at least once a week with a proper dog tooth brush and dog toothpaste which is safe to swallow. Do not use human toothpaste or baking soda as they are too harsh on the tooth enamel and they are not meant to be swallowed.

When dog bad breath has you turning your nose, it’s time to take drastic action. A trip to the vet will soon identify and correct whatever is causing bad dog breath.