Do you brush your dog's teeth?

Have you ever thought about brushing your dog’s teeth? With some patience and the right tools it really isn’t that hard to do.  You will need some doggie toothpaste, a toothbrush, a finger tooth brush, a wash cloth or a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. 

Brushing your dog’s teeth is an important part of his health care and should be part of your daily routine.  Oral health issues are one of the most common problems found in pets.  If left untreated oral disease can lead to serious problems for your dog, including severe pain, bad breath and even tooth loss.  In severe cases, chronic infections can occur; spreading to major organs of the body with the dog suffering severe consequences. 

You will want to start slowly, when the dog is relaxed, gradually get your dog used to having his mouth touched.   Using some toothpaste made especially for dogs, put some on your finger and let him get used to the taste. You can also use your gauze wrapped finger for this or the washcloth.  Rub your finger over his teeth and gums.  Use LOTS of praise even if he only allows this for only a few seconds.  It will probably take some time for him to get used to all of this.  

For the first actual brushing use a soft finger brush and slowly clean each tooth.  As he gets used to the routine, try using a toothbrush designed for pets. These have very soft bristles, longer handles and a tapered head.  The doggie toothpastes come in assorted flavors ranging from poultry to peanut butter. Don’t ever use human toothpaste on your dog.  Since dogs do not spit or rinse, and human toothpaste is not edible, he will swallow whatever you are using to clean his teeth.

Position yourself and your dog, so that you can access the dog’s teeth comfortably. Lift your dog’s upper lips and begin to brush in a circular motion, much like you would brush your own teeth. Be sure to brush where the tooth meets the gum-line. Don't forget to get the very back teeth, since this is where your dog is most likely to develop problems. When you are finished with the top teeth, move on to the bottom.

There are various products on the market designed to help prevent tartar and plaque buildup.  There are tartar control dental chews, specially designed chew toys, and even additives for his water that prevent plaque accumulation while also helping with doggie breath. 

Brush your dog’s teeth at least two times a week and have your dog’s teeth checked once a year by your veterinarian. If your dog’s teeth have significant tarter build up, they need to be cleaned by your veterinarian. This is usually done with anesthesia.

Feed your dog dry dog food or hard dog biscuits everyday and provide hard toys or bones to chew on.  Rope toys are good too, because they work on dogs teeth the same way floss does on ours.