Like us, dog’s teeth should be brushed regularly. It is thought that 95% of us don’t brush our dogs teeth daily. You may be wondering if daily brushing is needed. Revisiting why you should brush your dog’s teeth may help set new goals and techniques. And whilst daily brushing may seem aspirational, it may be your answer to “Should I brush my dog’s teeth” after reading this article!
Why brush my dog’s teeth?
This may be deemed a silly question by some. It’s already accepted that most of us don’t clean our dog’s teeth routinely. So the incentive or rationale may not be as well understood or clear. Dental care isn’t just important for aesthetic reasons. They can be a good marker of other issues) as poor dental care can lead to life threatening conditions.
Periodontal disease (serious gum disease) can lead to a build-up of bacteria. That in turn can lead to the issues of chronic infection. This has the potential to cause heart, kidney and liver problems. This may sound like scaremongering but it is medically recognised. Our dogs don’t need to be in pain or discomfort and poor dental hygiene could lead to just that.
Other obvious reasons for cleaning your dog’s teeth is to prevent bad breath and the build-up of plaque.
Signs of dental decay in dogs
Dental decay in dogs is very similar to humans. The difference, on the whole, is that we routinely inspect our own teeth. And perhaps will have a loved one who will happily advise when we have bad breath.
It is important to get into the routine of inspecting your dog’s teeth. Then you can understand the signs and symptoms of dental decay in your dog. Dogs don’t always like teeth inspection much like us humans! Make sure to build it into a routine and reward your dog for any good behaviour. This should ideally be started when your dog is a puppy. If you cannot happily put your hand in your dog’s mouth, then some basic training should be in order.
One of the first signs to look out for is bad breath. This can be caused by the build-up of plaque. This will form over time without any dental care. Plaque will eventually start to harden and become tartar. This will inevitably lead to red swelling and/or bleeding gums (gingivitis). You are now looking at the early stages of periodontal disease. This should be addressed immediately before it worsens.
Other signs of dental disease in your dog include any abnormalities. These include anything within the mouth such as lumps, damage to the teeth or gums, loose teeth etc. If you are ever unsure you should ask your vet to have a look. In fact 6-12 monthly check ups at the vets are a very good idea.
Best way to brush my dog’s teeth
Getting started
Starting this routine when they are young is the best idea. However this may not always be possible, so the same approach will apply. Firstly, your dog should be at its calmest. Trying to look at your dog’s teeth just before or after playing or walking may not be a good idea. When your dog is calm, you should start by gently rubbing your dog’s teeth using your finger covered in a soft fabric such as a flannel. Take your time to get your dog comfortable. This is a very important part of learning the best way to clean your dog’s teeth.
Like us, all dogs are individuals. This should be taken into account when considering how to brush your dog’s teeth. You may have more than one dog and the time and approach needed to clean their teeth may vary.
Moving on to a toothbrush
Once your dog seems comfortable with your finger then, and only then, you should consider moving onto a toothbrush. You should buy a special dog toothbrush and not be tempted to use a human equivalent (you can get special puppy finger brushes). Before you start adding toothpaste, you should use the same motion as you did with your finger as your dog will already be used to this. Never try to force your dog’s mouth open as this could become a battle of wills.
Once your dog is used to the toothbrush you can then introduce toothpaste. You should buy specially formulated dog toothpaste which comes in lots of mouth-watering flavours (chicken etc….). First let your dog have a taste of the toothpaste (your dog should enjoy it, if not you may want to try a different flavour). Once your dog has got used to the toothpaste in its mouth, you can gently encourage some teeth cleaning with the toothbrush, positively praising your dog as you go.
Other considerations
Other considerations when brushing your dog’s teeth are similar to us humans. Don’t brush too hard as you could worsen any existing issues. In fact, if you have seen any of the symptoms of gum disease discussed earlier then you should get a professional clean performed by your vet (usually under anaesthetic). This will ensure you are starting with a clean mouth avoiding any risks of worsening existing damage.
When brushing, focus on the back teeth as well as the front as this is where potential plaque build-up can take place. Eventually you should reach a position of a happy routine when cleaning your dog’s teeth for you and you pup! And instead of wondering “should I brush my dog’s teeth” it’ll just be part of your day or week!
What else can you do to help your dog’s dental hygiene?
There are other things you can do to help improve your dog’s dental care. It has actually been observed that smaller breeds tend to be more affected by periodontal disease. However, greyhounds are the exception and data has shown they are significantly more affected than other breeds. We recognise that it may be difficult to achieve the results you would want from just brushing your dogs teeth. Dry food is a good option as it is less likely to collect on your dog’s teeth than soft food.
Dog toys that encourage chewing can be a way of helping to remove plaque and there are now specially formulated edible dog chews that may help. We offer a word of warning with any extra treats you may offer your dog when considering overall health (see our article on feeding you dog here).
There are lots of dog teeth cleaning products on the market, from gels to special brushes. As with all products make sure they are credible. A way to check is to see what claims are made on the packaging. If the product has no scientific claims around tartar reduction then it is likely the product may not have gone through rigorous scientific testing and potentially may not be as effective. Also look for recommendations from your vet.
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