The Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very pretty dog with adorable and very expressive face. Their striking dark eyes and long silky ears that hang down at the sides of the face can make someone love them even more. But what if your Cavalier is having some dental problem?

In an overall health of a dog, dental health is very important. It is very common among dogs to have tooth and gum diseases, and it is very frustrating if these problems will make your pet unhealthy and less adorable. At the age of two or three, many dogs suffer from either periodontitis or gingivitis.

Awareness on common dental problems should be practiced by dog owners to prevent their pets from acquiring one. Here are some information on the most common dental problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels:

• Periodontitis, or periodontal disease is the most common dental problem for canines. This is caused by various factors such as plaque, food debris, cell mucus, and a mixture of bacteria, creating a film characterized by milky-white on the dog's teeth as well as the gums. When this film combines with saliva, the plaque it causes becomes tartar, and very hard to remove.

• Gum disease or popularly known as gingivitis occurs when gum tissue suffers from an inflammation. Without proper treatment, gingivitis may lead to periodontitis, teeth loosening, and finally, loss of teeth.

• When dogs chew hard substances like hard rocks and cow hooves, tooth fracture may likely to happen. The fractures result to infection inside the broken tooth, which is known as endodontic disease.

If there is a problem, there sure is a solution. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can fight off these dental problems by removing the plaque before it actually develops as tartar. How? The most effective way is by brushing the teeth of your dog in a mechanical fashion. The brushing would reduce much of the bacteria presence in the mouth, not to mention making your dog's breath smell sweeter.

Make brushing of your pet's teeth a daily habit. Brushing can be more effective if partnered with a toothpaste made especially for dogs. Brush your pet's teeth using dog toothpaste although using a toothbrush in his teeth would take some time for him to get used to it.

There is a way to make Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get used to brushing. Simply mix some garlic, and salt with water, and dip in an old toothbrush. Hold the old brush, and let your pet taste and chew it. Your dog will start to realize that chewing a toothbrush tastes good. Do it a few times, until he feels comfortable brushing with it.

But if you don't want to do the cleaning by yourself, you could take your dog to a veterinarian and have its teeth professionally cleaned. A good veterinarian will take additional measures in ensuring your dog's clean teeth by anesthetizing your dog, scraping the buildup of plaque from all over the gum line areas, and polishing the teeth for a sparkling finish.

Dental problems do not only happen to humans. Dogs also have dental issues as well. It is up to the owners of these cute Cavalier King Charles Spaniels on how to help their pet dogs overcome their dental problems.