Probiotics, the tiny but mighty microorganisms that promote gut health, have been gaining lots of attention for their role in enhancing the overall health and wellness of dogs. While probiotics are usually associated with digestive health, they’re also beneficial for your pup’s dental health and overall well-being. So, let’s explore the connection between gut and dental health, while also examining the benefits of probiotics for our four-legged tail waggers.
What Are Probiotics and Why Are They So Important for Dogs?
Often called good or friendly bacteria, probiotics play a crucial role in maintaining your dog’s gut and overall health. Dogs have billions of bacteria in their gastrointestinal tract to digest food, produce vitamins and nutrients, fight infections, and strengthen their immune system. This complex ecosystem of microbes, known as the microbiome, includes bacteria, fungi, viruses, and their genes that naturally live in and on your dog’s body. Despite their microscopic size, these tiny organisms contribute in a big way to your pup’s overall health and wellness.
The Connection Between Gut Health and Dental Health
It might sound strange at first, but there’s a very important connection between your dog’s gut health and dental health.
For starters, your dog’s gut begins in the mouth. That’s because the oral cavity marks the entry point of the digestive tract and has its own diverse microbiome. Therefore, your dog’s dental health can influence your BFF’s overall health and well-being as a healthy gut starts with good oral health.
A balanced gut microbiome can also have a profound effect on the overall health of your pup, including your dog’s oral health, through immune system support, reduced inflammation, and nutrient absorption. A healthy immune system can fight off oral infections better, probiotics can help reduce inflammation, which can prevent gum diseases, and improved gut health leads to better nutrient absorption, providing essential vitamins and minerals that support dental health.
3 Key Benefits of Probiotics for Dental Health
Probiotics help support a healthy oral microbiome by increasing the amount of good bacteria in your dog’s mouth. This balance of bacteria can help to reduce bad breath, prevent plaque and tartar buildup, and reduce the risk of dental diseases.
1. Reducing Bad Breath (Halitosis): Bad breath, or halitosis, is often caused by an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in your pup’s mouth. One of the most noticeable benefits of probiotics is the reduction in bad breath. Using a probiotic has been shown to help balance the oral microbiome, reducing the population of odor-causing bacteria.
2. Prevention of Plaque and Tartar Buildup: Approximately 80 percent of dogs over 3 years old suffer from periodontal disease, which starts with plaque and tartar buildup. Probiotics can help in preventing plaque and tartar buildup since certain probiotic strains produce enzymes that can break down the biofilm that forms plaque.
3. Reducing the Risk of Dental Diseases: Probiotics may help reduce the risk of gingivitis and other dental diseases by inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria and reducing inflammation.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Probiotic for Your Pup
When it comes to selecting a probiotic for your dog, you should take into consideration the specific strains that are used in the product, the CFU count, and the ease of use.
1. Strain Specificity: When selecting a probiotic product for your dog, make sure to look for ones that specify the strains that are used as there are certain ones, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, that are known specifically for their dental health benefits.
2. CFU Count: CFU stands for Colony Forming Units, which indicates the number of live and active microorganisms that are used in the product. When it comes to your dog’s dental health, a higher CFU count is typically better.
3. Ease of Use: Probiotics for dogs come in different forms such as powders, capsules, chews, and sprays. So, make sure to choose a form that your dog likes and is easy for you to use.
The new Plaque Busters Advanced Whole Mouth Dental Sticks from Crumps’ Naturals are a great way to make oral care fun for your dog while supporting a healthy microbiome. Infused with 1 billion CFU Probiotics, these advanced dental sticks are a perfect 4-in-1 solution as they combine delicious sweet potatoes with finely-ground oyster shells to aid in the removal of plaque and tartar that can build up on canine teeth. These unique, natural dental chews are crafted in small batches and made with zero artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Before starting any new dietary or supplement regimen for your dog, it’s important to consult your veterinarian, especially if your dog has any underlying health conditions.
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