Below we will give you some advice on taking care of your dog’s teeth and explaining why it is essential. Clean teeth are good for health and can lead to a longer life for your canine companion. Your family will benefit from your dog’s mouth being clean and smelling good too!
Steps
What to look for in a toothbrush for your dog
1. Get your dog a toothbrush of his own. Don’t share a toothbrush with your dog. And don’t give it an old toothbrush that you’ve used. As funny as it sounds, you must start this task with a new and clean toothbrush.
Look for a toothbrush that is designed specifically for dogs. If you have a larger dog, look for a larger canine toothbrush. If your dog is smaller, find a smaller canine toothbrush.
In addition to the “usual” canine toothbrush, you may find a finger brush helpful. Finger brushes cover your finger for added precision and protect it from being bitten off if your dog accidentally bites it.
2. Try different kinds of toothpaste specifically designed for dogs. Want your dog to enjoy brushing his teeth, then finding the best type of toothpaste is the most crucial step in the process, and, it will also make it less torturous for you. Poultry-flavored toothpaste may be very popular with mutts.
What is the time and frequency for brushing your dog’s teeth?
1. Choose an appropriate time to start brushing. Imagine brushing your dog’s teeth after he has just run a lap or exercised; he will be less willing to confront you because he is tired.
2. Try brushing every day. Brushing your dog’s teeth daily and avoiding oral infections such as periodontitis can significantly affect the health of other parts of your dog’s body. If you can’t brush your dog’s teeth daily, do it at least once or twice a week.
Small dogs, or dogs with smaller mouths, such as poodles or pit bulls, need to be brushed more frequently because their teeth are packed inside a small mouth. This increases the likelihood of plaque and tartar formation.
The more you brush your dog’s teeth, the more they will become accustomed to your hand going in and out of their mouth. As time passes, brushing will become easier.
How to brush your dog’s teeth
1. Get your puppy used to having a human hand in his mouth. Try slowly, especially if your dog is more aggressive! Take your time and it’s best to have your friend or family member next to you to calm your dog.
2. Show your dog the toothbrush. Most dogs need to check out a toothbrush before they will allow you to put it in their mouth. Show your dog the toothbrush and tell him what it’s for.
3. Brush your dog’s teeth gently without toothpaste. Let the dog get used to the feeling first. The canine is the longest tooth on either side of the front four teeth, which is the most accessible tooth to brush. Carefully pull up the lip and insert the toothbrush. Next, gently brush this tooth and estimate how your dog feels about this brushing process.
4. Let him lick some of the toothpaste off your finger. This is an excellent way to introduce your dog to what you are doing. Even older dogs can learn this way, which can be an excellent way to whet their appetite.
Once you’ve brushed both teeth and let your dog taste the toothpaste, it’s time to add toothpaste to the toothbrush. Again, do not use human toothpaste; it can make your dog sick. Use toothpaste that is designed specifically for dogs; many toothpastes incorporate attractive flavorings, such as beef or chicken.
Put some beef-flavored dog toothpaste on your finger. The brushing process will be easier if your hand tastes or smells better.
6. Brush both sides and the front of your dog’s teeth.
7. Carefully brush along the gum line. Talk to your dog and encourage him. Brush a little at a time. He will continue to enjoy the taste of the toothpaste.
Note: You do not need to brush the inside of your dog’s teeth. Generally, the dog’s tongue can handle the plaque on the inside of the teeth. If you brush the outside of your dog’s teeth properly, those teeth will be healthy.
What to do if your dog doesn’t like to brush its teeth
1. If necessary, use a “less is better than nothing” approach to get there step by step. If your dog can’t tolerate brushing, put some canine toothpaste on a small piece of old washcloth (the thinner, the better) and wrap it around your finger. Afterward, rub the outside of his teeth, concentrating on the largest teeth in his upper jaw. Leave the inside of the teeth or the lower jaw alone for now. Even if you can only brush once a week, this will help greatly.
2. If all else fails, take your dog to the vet. If your dog won’t accept cleaning his teeth, then take him to the vet and let the vet do the work.
Order a “no anesthesia” dental cleaning schedule at the vet. The minimum charge for anesthesia is almost two to three thousand dollars. If you set up a monthly anesthesia-free oral cleaning schedule, your dog’s teeth will be in good condition and won’t cost much.
How to clean your dog’s teeth without brushing
1. Try a chew toy for your dog. Chew toys help wipe soft tartar off the teeth, massage the dental bed, and can make your dog less bored and stressed. Choose those chew toys made of leather, nylon, or rubber, which your veterinarian recommends.
Chew toys should not be a substitute for brushing. They aid in keeping your dog’s teeth healthy and should not be used alone.
2. Try different types of food for cleaning. Specially designed cleaning treats for dogs can be a supplement to routine brushing while still providing nutrition. Be considerate, and even unique formulas may not be able to deal with all plaque and tartar.
3. Let your dog chew some raw meaty bones. Raw meat bones have been a dog’s (other) best friend since the beginning. The bones can be rubbed back and forth around the teeth, and the rough texture gently grinds away plaque. Poultry bones are great for dogs of all sizes.
Be sure to avoid large animal bones and cooked bones While they reduce the likelihood of bacteria transmission, they are more likely to chip and cause damage to your dog’s mouth.
4. Consider using a dental spray. Dental sprays provide a protective coating to fight plaque and tartar. Some dental sprays contain alcohol and shouldn’t be used too often on your dog. Look for a dental spray that does not contain alcohol. Although it costs a little more, they are much safer.
Tip.
A good time to check your dog’s grooming is also an excellent time to brush his teeth. Feeding your dog some hard cookies or treats will also help keep his teeth and gums healthy.
Cleaning your dog’s teeth is not a severe ordeal as long as you do it early and often.
Remember that small dogs are more likely to leave food debris between their teeth than large dogs. Proper dental care is very important for them all.
Also, there are tartar control products that can be added to your dog’s drinking water. This will stop tartar from being deposited on the teeth and prevent decay and gum disease.
If you have a small dog (that is, under nine kilograms), consider using a finger brush instead of a large toothbrush to brush his teeth.
If the dog refuses your hand and wants to spit it out, you can also try spreading your legs and standing or sitting on top of the dog (depending on its size). Although this requires you to work from above or behind, it allows you to reach areas previously out of reach when facing each other.
Also, after brushing, you can spray some antiseptic spray on both the front and back of the teeth. This will stop bacteria from collecting.
