The coat is what makes Standard Poodles beautiful in the eyes of many dog lovers all over the world. Many people are eager to have this breed as a new member of the family. This beautiful coat, however is one of the most important things that must be put into consideration when planning of getting a Standard Poodle since this breed requires regular grooming and clipping. But let not most of your time and attention focus on the coat alone for there are other areas of the dog that must not be overlooked.

What I am referring to here is the dog's dental care. Often, this aspect of dog's health care is overlooked for some reasons. One most common reason is that the owner has not realized the importance of a dog's dental care. Dogs, just like you and me and other people in the universe need regular dental care too. In the absence of proper dental care, plaque, tartar, gingivitis and other mouth related diseases will definitely develop. Plaque forms in the gum line when food particles and bacteria are not removed. Tartar (also called calculus) forms when plaque is not removed. This tartar irritates the gums and causes an inflammation called gingivitis. These dental diseases cause bad breath and may lead to periodontal disease if not properly treated. Loose teeth, abscesses and bone loss will also occur.

If you do not want any of these to happen to your dog, do your part now in caring for his teeth. Regular visits to the veterinarian with oral exam and dental cleaning is necessary. Ask your vet about the proper cleaning and if possible let him demonstrate to you how to brush your dog's teeth correctly since home cleaning is also important. Brush your dog's teeth at least twice a week. In doing so, use a toothpaste and toothbrush specially created for dogs. This dog toothpaste must be safe for pets to swallow since dogs can't rinse and spit after brushing. There are also other ways to help remove plaque. Some experts believe that hard kibbles, tartar control biscuits and chew bones are ideal at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth.

Don't wait until your dog develops dental problems before doing anything. Small as it may seem, these dental problems may lead to more serious diseases that could deteriorate your dog's health. Remember that prevention is always better than cure so act now!