How to clean my dog's teeth?
HOW TO CLEAN YOUR DOG'S TEETH
In this article, we will cover the importance of dog teeth cleaning and why you need to brush your dog’s teeth. We also have 3 top tips to clean your dog’s teeth.
Based on our research and speaking to various vets, it is highly advisable that you clean your dog’s teeth regularly as it helps reducing chances of developing gum diseases. The good news is that dogs, unlike human beings are not as prone to cavities. But even so, in order to maintain a healthy welfare for your dog, it is essential to clean your canine’s teeth regularly as possible as it can have loads of benefits including:
- Lower chance of developing gum problems from Tartar, Gingivitis and plaques build-up
- Bad breath and yellow teeth
- Reduced chance of getting life-threatening infections and issues like heart, liver or kidney disease from poor dental hygiene
Where and how can I get my dog’s teeth cleaned? And is it expensive?
Well the good news is that there are a couple of options available to you. You can either do it at home, or at your vets or at some specialist pet stores. But we noticed is that doing it at home is far less costly option, as some canine cleaning services can charge anything up to £100-£500, depending on your dog breed, location, age and if they require anaesthesia, etc.
In order to clean your dog’s teeth, we recommend to follow these 3 top tips:
- Regular brushing
- Use more dry foods than wet food
- Canine Chew Teeth Cleaning toys & Chew Bones
How to Brush my dog’s teeth?
Get a good quality dog toothbrush, there are loads in the market but we found the double headed one’s works wonderfully well for most breeds. You can also use some child’s toothbrush or a pet friendly finger toothbrush.
Put a tiny piece of dog’s toothpaste on a water-moistened brush, and start brushing at a 45-degree angel and work your way from back teeth to the front. And make sure you brush gently and be patient. You may find that some dog’s would not let you to clean inside surface of their teeth, so you may find easier to start with outside (cheek-facing surface). We recommend to also reach to the back upper molars too, as they tend to get tartar more often.
Your dog might not let you brush their teeth at first, but try to relax and do it at a time after their exercise so there is a good chance for them to sit still for the brushing. Remember not over doing it in the first few times, and let them get used to it slowly and stop if you noticed they are getting agitated. You can always continue the next day till they get used to it slowly.
One of the best ways to keep them motivated is to reward your dog after, don’t forget your clickers and then give them a treat. Our best advise for puppy owners is to start early with their dental care, so that they get more comfortable with teeth cleaning and brushing at a young age.
Which Toothpaste to use for your puppy or dog teeth?
Please always remember to only use dogtooth paste. Never try to use human toothpaste, or baking soda or salt for your dog as they can be poisonous or harmful for them due to their ingredients. Dogtooth pastes are often flavoured with poultry, malt or other dog friendly varieties. You can find dogtooth paste online, or at your vets or specialist pet stores.
Why dry food is better than Wet food for dogs teeth?
If you noticed cleaning your dog’s teeth is like running a marathon every day and ends up in tears and blood, one of the other useful tips is to use dry food as an alternative to wet foods. As Wet or Soft food can stick to teeth and cause decays.
Do chew bones and chew toys help cleaning my dog’s teeth?
Subject to your dog’s breed and size, you can either give them chew bones or synthetic bones and or chew toys that are specially designed to help with their gum and oral health. We highly advise to only use safe toys or options for your dog to chew on, as hard objects can damage or break their teeth.
How often do I need to clean my dog’s teeth?
We recommend cleaning your dog’s teeth daily or as often as possible. And at least have it checked or cleaned at vets every 6 months or once a year. As during these routine cleanings and checks vets can assess the overall dog’s dental heath and oral hygiene in order to avoid getting life threatening conditions if left untreated.
We recommend to also looking inside your dog’s mouth every week or so, to see if you spot any of dental health problems signs (some listed below) and then take your dog to vet if they are showing these symptoms:
- Bad breath, discoloured or broken teeth
- Yellowish or brown tartar crust at the gum lines
- Bumps or growth inside the mouth
- Excessive drooling
- Change in eating or dog chewing habits
- Depression and or pawing at the face or mouth
Our step by step guide to clean your dog’s teeth
- Use a dog toothbrush, chew toy or chew bone
- Only use dog-safe toothpaste and never use human toothpaste or baking soda.
- Start slowly by introducing your dog to the tooth brushing process.
- Lift your dogs' lip to expose the outside surfaces of gums and teeth
- Brush your dog’s teeth with toothbrush or finger brush with gentle motions and move your way from back molars to the front
- Remember to reward your dog with a treat after as part of their positive reinforcement trainings
Download our free advice sheet for handy tips as reminder.
Click below to see some of recommended dog teeth cleaning products
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