Dental health is vital in animals not just in humans. Dogs need to maintain their dental hygiene to avoid any periodontal disease. Dog teeth cleaning at home are not much different from what we do to ensure that our teeth are clean.
You need to start developing the habit of brushing your dog’s teeth if you don’t want your buddy to suffer from toothaches. Dog teeth extraction is the only other way to solve teeth problems. Although this is a relatively safe procedure, you would want your dog to retain its teeth as long as it can.
The best news to pet owners is that taking care of your dog’s teeth is not that hard to do at home. Here are some of the things that you can do to keep the cavities away from your favorite four-legged friend.
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Make Brushing A Daily Habit
In humans, dentists recommend brushing at least twice a day. In dogs, you wouldn’t have to brush as much because once a day will suffice. If you know your dog’s mouth is clean, you can just brush its teeth thrice a week.
If you decide to brush your dog’s teeth, always have the right supplies at hand. You will need a dog tooth toothbrush and toothpaste. Always get your supplies from the pet store since the dental kit you use for your teeth will not do.
You can use a finger toothbrush if you have a small dog. By small, we mean that your canine is less than 30 pounds. If you have a big dog, it would be better to use the toothbrush with a longer handle.
As for the toothpaste, you may be surprised that dogs have gourmet toothpaste that comes in yummy flavors. Don’t use your minty toothpaste on your pet even if you think it will give them fresh breath. Toothpaste designed for people contain ingredients that may cause digestive problems to your dog.
When you decide that it’s brushing time, always observe your dog’s behavior first. You don’t want to brush their teeth when they are agitated or too excited. The best time is when they are relaxed and calm.
It’s also advisable to allow your dog to get used to brushing time. This way, it wouldn’t be too difficult for them to behave when you clean their teeth.
Introduce Your Dog To Brushing
When you are still trying to get your canine used to brushing its teeth, you don’t want to put a toothbrush in its mouth right away. You need to prepare your pet.
Initial preparations include getting the animal used to something rubbing its gums. You can try doing it with your fingers. Rub your dog’s upper or lower gum. Once your dog doesn’t find it unusual for you to rub its gums, you can introduce your pet to a toothbrush.
You should also let your dog taste the toothpaste. Choose one that your dog thinks is a treat. If you find what he or she likes best, you can stick to it.
Then, you can use the toothpaste and toothbrush. Make sure that you are brushing at a 45-degree angle. This angle is just right if you want to clear away plaque and bacteria from your dog’s teeth.
The Right Way To Brush
Now that your dog is alright with you brushing its teeth, you need to learn the right way to do it.
You should follow a circular motion while moving along your dog’s gum line. Do not be afraid of slight bleeding as it is normal. If it is excessive bleeding, however, you have to see your vet right away.
Always pay attention to each tooth. Your goal is to remove plaque and the only way to do that it to brush with care.
The canines and the back teeth are where plaque collects most. So, you should do them first if your dog resists brushing. Start at the outside area and try brushing the inside but don’t push it if you can’t reach it with a toothbrush.
While brushing your dog’s teeth, you should maintain a light mood. Pat his or her head and keep talking about anything you want. You can even remind your pet why it is important to brush teeth properly.
Doing this could help your pet stay calm during the entire process. This makes your job easier since the two of you don’t have to struggle as much during brushing time.
Reward Your Dog After Brushing Time
After brushing your dog’s teeth, a treat would be a great way to celebrate. This helps reinforce positive behavior in your dog.
Giving a treat will remind your dog that you reward good behavior.
Look For Plaque Fighting Treats and Toys
While brushing is the best way to avoid gum and teeth disease, you can also try feeding treats that are formulated to fight plaque. There are also doggie toys that can do the same.
Make sure that your dog is not playing with something abrasive. These toys may wear teeth down causing other problems. While it may seem too restrictive, never leave your puppy unsupervised while playing with a chew toy.
While there are many things that you can do to promote oral health at home, your dog still needs regular dental cleaning. Talking to your vet about what needs to be done is a good start.