You wouldn’t dream of neglecting your own teeth. Frequent brushing and regular visits to the dentist are part of your healthcare routine. What you might not know is that dental care is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Dogs are just as susceptible to gum disease as humans are, and a lack of dental care can cause your dog to suffer from infected gums, missing teeth and even heart or kidney disease. Here are some tips on how to keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
Brushing
One of the best things you can do for your dog’s teeth is to brush them as often as possible. Once a day is ideal, but if you can’t manage that, several times a week is good. Use a canine toothbrush and canine toothpaste to do the job. You can buy both from pet supply retailers. Canine toothbrushes come in the form of rubber finger brushes or long-handled toothbrushes that look similar to human toothbrushes. You can also use gauze wrapped around your finger as a homemade toothbrush. Canine toothpaste comes in flavors that dogs like and are safe for the dog to swallow.
The best way to brush your dog’s teeth is to gently rub the teeth and gums with the toothbrush, going over one or two teeth at a time, using a back and forth motion. Be sure to brush along the gum line to help remove plaque, and don’t forget the molars way in the back.
Chew Toys
These days, pet supply retailers sell a variety of chew toys designed to help keep canine teeth clean and gums healthy. Veterinarians recommend giving your dog dental chews that are not so hard that your dog could break a tooth while biting down on it. The chew should give a little when the dog bites into it, and then soften as the dog continues to gnaw.
Vet Visits
Your dog should see a veterinarian once a year for an overall checkup. During the exam, the vet will look in your dog’s mouth to get a view of his teeth and gums. Most dogs need to have their teeth professionally cleaned at some point in their lives, so your vet might recommend a dental workup. In most cases, this means your dog will be placed under anesthesia so the veterinarian can clean deep under his gums. Some vets also offer the option of anesthesia-free cleaning, although critics of this technique say these kinds of cleanings are not as thorough as the procedure performed under anesthesia.
Watch for Trouble
If you notice your dog having difficulty eating, pawing at his muzzle or showing any discomfort related to his mouth, make an appointment with a veterinarian right away. An infected tooth, an abscess in the gum, or a broken or loose tooth could be the culprit. Your veterinarian can treat the problem or might refer you to a veterinary dentist for treatment.
Watching out for your dog’s teeth is an important part of his overall care. Remember: a healthy mouth means a happy dog.
About the Author: Audrey Pavia is an award-winning freelance writer and author of “The Labrador Retriever Handbook.” She is a former staff editor of Dog Fancy, Dog World and The AKC Gazette magazines. To learn more about her work, visit www.audreypavia.com and hollywoodhoofbeats.net
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Thanks for the tips! I’m never sure if my dog is feeling dental pain, unless I can see that his teeth appear to be damaged, so these tips will help me know what warning signs to look out for to make sure that my dog isn’t experiencing any dental pain. It’s a good thing that you mentioned that any difficulty eating or pawing at his muzzle are signs that he’s experiencing dental discomfort. My dog hasn’t been eating as much food lately, and he’s been pawing at his mouth lately, so it seems like I should take him to a vet right away.
Brushing your dog’s teeth can be a trying process! I’m glad to know that if you make more of a habit of brushing your pet’s teeth, it will become easier and they will get used to it. The visuals that you provided of brushing the outer and inner surface of your dog’s teeth, seem very helpful to follow. It was nice that you provided a detailed list of dog brushing items you can get, so I have a clear idea of what I should purchase! Thank you for sharing tips on brushing your dogs teeth!
Hey Annie
I can completely agree with you that brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most biggest process.
But, Audrey has explained all the things so well that it will become for easier to brush the teeth of your pet.
Also, brushing teeth of your pet make him more healthier and he will stay away from the dental problems.
Thanks friend 🙂
Thank you for the help. I just got my first dog about a month ago. I have tried to remember to take care of his dental needs, but have not had great success. How often do I need to have his dental needs checked specifically, as you mentioned?
Just like us, our pet’s teeth need to be taken care of. They can get dental diseases and develop problems just like we do. Brushing seems like it would be the best method, however not all pets are open to your sticking something in their mouth. It is good that there are alternatives to this but do keep in mind that you should always take them to the vet if you notice any problems with their teeth.
I had never seen one of those rubber brushes before. It makes sense that it would work good, so your dog doesn’t end up biting you. I also didn’t know there are dental chew toys! That’s a pretty genius idea. When I have a dog again, I’ll have to look into those more. Thanks for the info!
That’s really cool that chew toys are out there than can help with dog dental health. I’ve tried brushing with my dog before and he did not like that one little bit. I’ll have to try this and maybe take him to a doggy dentist to see if there are any problems that needs addressing. Thanks for the awesome info!
You mention that most dogs need a dental cleaning once in their lives. Is it better to do it even more than that? I would want to make sure my dog is being taken care of properly. I don’t want him losing teeth because I didn’t properly help!
Since I just got a new puppy, I’ve been wondering the best ways to take care of him, including his teeth. So thanks for letting me know that if I take him to a vet or a pet dentist at least once a year, they will be able to check out his gums and teeth. I will be sure to find a great pet dentist I will be able to take my puppy to for an annual appointment.