Caring For Your Dog’s Teeth

I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you need to brush your dog’s teeth EVERY DAY! Yes, you need to be brushing your dog’s teeth on a regular basis. If you’re not, you’re making a huge mistake. Caring for your dog’s teeth is very important. Look, you wouldn’t skip brushing your own teeth for days, right? So why would you skip brushing your dog’s teeth?

It’s not just stinky dog breath, friends. Ignoring your dog’s teeth means risking serious health issues, beyond just bad breath. Think periodontal diseas, tooth loss, infections… nasty stuff. You don’t want that, trust me. So, keep reading, because you need to know this.

 

Bad Dog Breath

Okay, real talk: ever get a whiff of that stinky dog breath? Yeah, that’s your cue to grab a toothbrush, like, yesterday. But seriously though, if it’s bad and it’s bad all the time, that’s a problem. Not just for your nose, either. That smell can be a sign of something BIGGER. It can signal some serious health red flags. If it’s out of control, take your dog to the vet, for sure.

But, let’s be honest, if you haven’t been brushing, that’s could be the culprit. Think about it, imagine you not brushing for days? Gross! Simba? Oh, he definitely has had bad doggie breath. But dental treats and caring for my dog’s teeth regulary got him right on track. And he loves getting his teeth brush or at least he acts like it. His greedy butt probably just loves the dog tooth paste flavor, but hey, I’ll take it!

What You Need to Know About Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

Don’t EVER use HUMAN toothpaste!  Dogs can’t spit out toothpaste and our toothpaste is made to be spit out. If you use human toothpaste it will definitely harm your dog’s stomach and I’m sure you don’t want that.  Besides you’re trying to help your dog’s health by brushing the dog’s teeth daily not harm him.  Make sure you get toothpaste and a toothbrush specifically for dogs.

I use pet toothpaste by Nylabone.  The package I bought came with toothpaste, a toothbrush, and a finger brush.  Simba has absolutely no problems with the taste and is actually excited when I brush his teeth.  You can find dog toothpaste and toothbrushes at pretty much any pet store and some even have the toothpaste and toothbrushes packaged together.  You can even get dog toothpaste in different flavors.  Does your dog love beef  or peanut butter? There’s toothpaste out there made in those flavors and more!  You should pick a flavor you think your dog might like so that brushing time becomes fun.

There are also different types of toothbrushes.  There are toothbrushes that are like human toothbrushes, but they are softer than ours.  There are also finger toothbrushes which may be easier for you to use.  You just slip the finger toothbrush on your finger and put the toothpaste on the brush and put your finger in your dogs mouth and brush around.  I usually use the finger toothbrush with Simba.

How to Brush your Dog’s Teeth

• Let your dog get familiar with the toothbrush and tooth paste
• Let your dog sniff the brush, see the tube of toothpaste, and even taste the toothpaste before you begin
• Let your dog get familiar with your finger (finger brush) being in his or her mouth or the toothbrush depending on what method you are using

Once your dog is comfortable with the above things try the next steps

• Put a small amount of toothpaste on your dogs toothbrush and open the mouth
• Gently brush the teeth and gums
• Soothe your dog.  Rub him or her and say “good boy” or “good girl” or whatever it is that you say to let him or her know that this is proper behavior
• Reward with a dental treat or favorite treat
• Brush your dog’s teeth daily.  Make it a routine.

The above tips may not work the first time you try to brush your dog’s teeth.  If your dog seems frightened or for some reason it’s just not working for you, just try again the next day.  It may take several times before your dog gets used to it.  Don’t give up!  Try the best you can to make your dog feel comfortable and get used to the process.  Let your dog know that this is a good thing.  Caring for your dog’s teeth is very important.  Talk to your vet for more information about dental health for your dog.  Even though National Pet Dental Health Month is almost over, brushing your dog’s teeth should be a habit.  Get started today 🙂

  Do you brush your dog’s teeth?  If not, are you going to start?  If you do, how do you brush them?  What do you use? Does your dog hate or love getting his teeth brushed? Share!

Note:  I am a contributing blogger for Dogbook. I post articles to Dogbook Daily a couple of times a month. I get compensated for Dogbook articles.