As much as it is important for us humans, brushing your dog’s teeth holds the same priority.Oral hygiene plays an important part in everyone’s life. Same as us, a dog’s teeth can have many dental problems in the future if you are not brushing your dog’s teeth frequently; swollen gums, tooth loss, and painful swallowing can be caused by avoiding brushing your dog’s teeth.Oral care is as necessary for a dog as its other health conditions. It is not just bad breath or yellowing of the teeth that an owner needs to care about. Not taking good care of the teeth and not brushing your dog’s teeth regularly can actually lead to life-threatening diseases in the kidneys, heart, or lungs. Infections are pretty common without daily brushing and if ignored for a long time, even a professional veterinarian won’t be able to help the owner. It has been estimated that around 65 % of dogs over the age of three have periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is an infection or inflammation of the tissues that are surrounding the dog’s teeth. It is caused by plaque and starts as a disease called gingivitis. If not treated by a veterinarian, this disease can lead to tooth loss. Painful! It is recommended to brush your dog’s teeth three times a week.If as owners, you are able to integrate brushing your dog’s teeth into a daily routine, the dog will surely start enjoying it. If you are unable to meet the requirement of brushing twice daily, brush your dog’s teeth at least thrice a week to prevent tartar accumulation and remove plaque. As dog parents, it is essential to instill the routine into your dog when it is just a puppy. An older dog can be taught to enjoy brushing their teeth too, it might just take longer. There are commercial toothbrushes made specifically for dogs and make sure to not use human toothpaste as it contains a chemical toxic to dogs. Dogs are not as prone to cavities as we are, but there are other problems like the buildup of plaque and tartar that can make you think twice.If you enjoyed this article, why not also find out the answers to how often do dogs need shots and how often should you give your dog a bath here on Kidadl?Can you use a toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs?Yes, there are special toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs that are recommended by professional doctors. Human toothpaste should not be used as the paste includes xylitol (a sweetener to elevate the taste) which is toxic.Tooth brushing is an important measure to keep the oral health of a pet in check. To prevent gum problems and other infections of bacteria, a healthy dental care routine needs to be maintained, and choosing the best toothbrush and toothpaste for the mouth of the pet is the first step to maintain a healthy life. There is a commercial toothbrush available in the market made especially for a dog’s teeth. A dog’s toothbrush has brushes with angled handles. The are multiple brush heads on the toothbrush to help brush all the sides of the tooth of the dog. A brush designed to fit onto the hand of the owner is also available. There are even finger toothbrushes. This toothbrush fits over the tips of a human finger. This finger technique helps in reaching the insides of a dog’s mouth to remove plaque. A finger toothbrush is mostly used when the pet is very young.Tooth brushing should be done in a gentle manner so that you don’t accidentally poke the gums in the mouth of the dog. Poking the gums can cause some serious irritations. Human toothpaste should never be used to brush your dog’s teeth as it contains chemicals that are not healthy for your pet to swallow. It can cause serious health implications like an upset stomach or digestive issues. So sticking to your pet’s brush and toothpaste is the best idea. Some might recommend baking soda but it should not be used as it has a high alkaline content which can harm the dental health of your pet as well as cause other health conditions in your dogs. Your dog will love the taste of their special toothpaste with flavors such as poultry, beef, mint, peanut butter, and malt.Brushing Puppies’ TeethThe process of brushing the teeth at a younger age can help the canine a lot in the long run. Use of a brush should be encouraged between 8-16 weeks in a puppy.Starting to brush the teeth of your pets early on has a lot of positive outcomes. Many pet-friendly brushes and kinds of toothpaste are also available on the market for you to choose from depending on the breed and how much you have to spend. These are free of any impurities that can hurt the health of your canine friend. Starting the process early on will prevent any gum inflammation or loss of teeth in the mouth later on. The first step starts with getting your dog used to mouth-touching. You can start this process by dipping your finger into something tasty that the puppy will like. Give the pup a reward in the form of treats and let them lick your finger. While the dog is doing that, touch your finger around the dog’s gums and teeth. Use different textures to make the dog feel comfortable with something in their mouth.Use something other than your finger and give the dog treats every time it listens. After a week or so, get a brush and use it in the mouth gently. Soft brushes are preferred. When the dog licks the brush, make sure something they like is put on the brush so that the dog gets comfortable with the bristles. Most importantly, choose the right toothpaste. Put some on the brush and let the dog gently get used to the consistency and the taste of the paste. Keep on giving the dog a reward every time it succeeds. Brush the upper canine teeth first and then slowly move to other teeth. Book annual services to get their teeth checked by a vet so that any infection from bacteria or plaque can be removed at the earliest possibility.Oral Hygiene Amongst BreedsAll dog breeds need their oral hygiene taken care of. Many owners ignore the oral hygiene of their pets, but this is as serious as brushing our own teeth and will help to keep the overall health of your dog at peak condition.Dental hygiene, as much as it is important for us, has the same importance in a dog’s life. Remember, a dog cannot speak or tell us its problems so it is up to us to do what is needed. All breeds need proper care; some might need a softer brush, or another breed might want the paste tasting like the food they love so much. It helps that the toothpaste comes in so many meat flavors (a food favorite for all breeds). Remember to help all breeds with complete dental care.Training Your Dog To Sit Calmly While BrushingThere are ways that you can make your dog sit calmly while you brush its teeth but it might take some getting used to.Firstly get the dog acclimatized with the system that if it listens to you, a treat is waiting for them. This helps wonders believe us! Start by making the dog sit for some time and then reward them. Touch the gums and then keep rewarding them. The dog needs to understand that all the processes lead to a free treat for them. The procedure to be followed has already be outlined in the section ‘Brushing Puppies’ Teeth’. The main thing to remember is to keep commanding your dog and treating them every time they listen. Try not to be lazy with their dental hygiene, as brushing every day will keep things fresh for the dog and you.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for how often should I brush my dog’s teeth then why not take a look at how often do puppies pee or St. Bernard Facts.
As much as it is important for us humans, brushing your dog’s teeth holds the same priority.
