Brushing Your Dog's Teeth - Guide To Pet Dental Care
Have you ever thought to yourself, if your dog's teeth really need to be brushed? or if your three-month-old puppy is ready for the flavored toothpaste?
Well, if your answer is Yes! Then this guide is just for you.
Brushing your dog’s teeth is not trivial but indeed a crucial part of your pet's grooming routine.
Avoiding this key practice can cause serious illnesses for your pet. As a matter of fact, gum disease and periodontal disease affect more than 75% of dogs.
If you are a first-time pet parent or a dog parent who wants the best for your Lil buddy, then read below as we have all the answers related to your Pooch’s pearly whites covered right here!
Important Discussion Points In This Guide
- Do You Really Need To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
- When Should You Start Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth?
- How Often Should You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
- How To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
Do You Need to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
A common question among first-time pet-parents is “Do I really need to brush my dog’s teeth?”
Before we get on to answering if your dog’s teeth need to be brushed, let’s take a look at what happens if you don’t.
Dental disease is one of the most common illnesses faced by dogs.
When you don’t brush your dog’s teeth, some of the many illnesses they may face are:
Plaque
When food particles are stuck to your pooch’s teeth, it leads to a build-up of a sticky substance on their teeth called - plaque.
Made of bacteria, plaque can lead to infections that complicate your dog’s overall health.
"Dental hygiene is vital to your pet as it aids in avoiding infections and other painful illnesses"
Odor
A common result of bad oral hygiene, dental infection and periodontal disease is terrible breath in dogs.
Bad breath in pets could also be caused by a dead tooth, in which case you will need to visit your Vet immediately.
Infection, Pain or Behavioral Changes
Poor dental hygiene can cause long-term health issues for your pet.
A broken tooth or infection causes extreme pain for your pet that affects their regular activities and overall behavior.
So, Yes! Brushing your dog's teeth is a must.
When Should You Start Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth?
It is a safe option to start with a dental routine for your puppy when he reaches 4 months of age or when he starts losing his adult teeth.
Starting early with an oral hygiene routine makes it easier for your pup to get used to it and ensures good long-term dental health!
To begin with, you can use your finger to gently massage your pet's gums and then gradually shift to a toothbrush made for dogs.
Teething being an unavoidable part of a puppy’s life, it's also best to have good chew toys around them.
Dog chew toys, no doubt are great for teething puppies but they are also great for dental cleaning purposes!
How Often Should You Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
It is best to make dental cleaning a part of your dog’s overall weekly grooming routine.
Start by brushing your dog’s teeth at least once a week. Spend approximately 30 seconds per side to get proper cleaning done.
Once your pup adapts to the brushing, you can increase the routine from once a week to two or three times per week.
How To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
Before getting into your dog’s dental care routine, it is advised to invest in a few dental products for him.
Dental Care Essentials
- Dog Toothbrush - From finger brushes to angled toothbrushes there are various models of dog toothbrush available.
Make sure to choose a brush for your Pooch that is perfect for his size and is comfortable for you to work with. - Dog Toothpaste - It is important to buy toothpaste for your pet that is made specifically for him.
Stay away from human toothpaste when it comes to your puppy's teeth, as they can cause digestive disturbances for your dog if ingested.
Shop Dog Oral Care Kit
Cleaning Your Dog’s Teeth
- Use a small amount of dog toothpaste on your pooch’s toothbrush.
- Gently lift your dog’s top lip on one side of his mouth and touch it with your finger first.
- If your pet is calm as you do the above step, then gradually touch their teeth with the toothbrush.
- Use positive words to praise them for complying with you.
- Repeat the same step for their lower teeth by brushing the front teeth first and then moving on to the side and back.
- Keep praising your dog throughout the routine to make it as positive an experience as possible.
Other than brushing, introducing chew toys, hard kibbles and dental rawhides are also good options to maintain your pet’s dental hygiene.
As a pet parent, devoting time to your dog’s dental health will benefit both them and you in the long run.
Now that you know about dog dental hygiene, check out this blog to know - what causes shedding in dogs. Happy pet parenting!
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