Your dog might not be vain about their teeth like humans are, but the health of their teeth is important in the same ways. Also? When they come in for those doggie hugs and kisses, nice breath is a big plus. So we’re here with the how and the why of caring for your dogs’ pearly whites.
Getting regular dental care from your vet is important. Deep cleanings are part of your dogs’ overall health routines, but in the meantime, they still need care and cleanings at home. We’ve written about ways you can save money as a dog parent and brushing their teeth at home is definitely high on the list.
In the immediate now, of course, you’re saving money by not paying a groomer or your vet to do this, but over the long run, you’re saving money on bigger health issues that can arise if your dogs’ teeth and gums become unhealthy.
By the time your dogs are three years old, about 80% of them will already have signs of the start of gum disease or even more advanced periodontal disease. ((WHOA)) But you can help your dog to stay in that healthy 20%.
And did you know that smaller dogs tend to have worse teeth and gum issues than larger dogs?
Why you should brush your dogs’ teeth
- You can’t rely on your dogs’ diet or their chew toys to take care of their teeth and gum health. Some chew toys are so hard that they can even break teeth and cause problems. (This is not to say that some aren’t helpful.)
- If you don’t brush your dogs’ teeth, the same thing happens to them as with people: plaque and eventually tartar build up. Again, this will cost you more in vet fees eventually.
- Remember, too, that a dental procedure at your vet’s office requires your pet to be anesthetized. And the less of that in their lifetime, the better.
- When we don’t brush our dogs’ teeth, we’re increasing the likelihood of infection.
- These infections are not just limited to the mouth but can then enter the bloodstream and cause all sorts of more serious medical issues.
How to brush your dogs’ teeth
Timing
Ideally, you should be brushing your dogs’ teeth daily, but that can be a crazy request considering how busy most of us are. Try to aim for 1 to 2 times a week, and in between, you can supplement that brushing with teeth healthy treats, water supplements, and wipes.
Getting Started
As with most things, if you start younger, it’s easier. But no matter the age of the dog:
- Brush their teeth when they are calm. Perhaps try to do this after they are tired out from a long walk.
- Start by just brushing a few teeth at a time and then increase the number over days and weeks. Build your dogs’ tolerance.
- Find the tools that work best for you and your dog. If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying different alternatives. Go here to check some out.
- Don’t stand above your dog or try to hold them down. Sit with them and stay calm yourself.
- When you first begin to build this habit, simply start by touching their gums. You want to see how tolerant they are of your hand in their mouth.
- Let them taste the toothpaste.
- Put some on the brush and try a couple of front teeth before proceeding.
- Be constantly reassuring.
- Brush in a circular motion.
If the dog is more resistant
You can start with dog mouth wipes, and follow the same rules: start when they’re young; find a calm time; start with just a few teeth and build up over time.