Your Dog’s Dental Health is VERY Important
When it comes to your dog’s health, dental hygiene isn’t often at the forefront of an owner’s concerns. But! It is still very necessary to care for your dog’s teeth.
Even something as normal as bad breath could be a sign of a gum disease or tooth decay. But luckily we have some simple dog dental hygiene tips to help keep your dog healthy:
- The first step is easing your dog into regular teeth cleaning. For a week or two, practice massaging your dogs lips and gums to get them used to the sensation. Do this for up to 60 seconds twice a day. You can dip your finger in beef bouillon or any kind of liquid dog treat to make it tasty for them!
- When moving on to brushing their teeth, using a dog safe toothpaste, place a toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and clean in small, circular motions, lifting your dog’s lip if necessary. Alternatively, instead of a toothbrush you can wrap your finger in gauze.
- Concentrate on the side of the tooth that touches the cheek, as it contains the most tartar. When you’re almost finished, brush vertically toward the inside of the mouth to clear any plaque you’ve dislodged.
- Use a brush designed especially for dogs; it’s smaller than a human toothbrush and has softer bristles. Toothbrushes that you can wear over your finger are also available.
- Remember: Giving your dog a dental chew is not a replacement for brushing their teeth. They might clean their teeth slightly, but are not effective enough to prevent infections and diseases.
If you haven’t been as diligent with your dog’s dental hygiene or suspect their might be something wrong, keep an eye out for these signs:
- Swollen and/or bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Difficulty eating
- Yellow and brown tartar deposits on the gum line
- Excessive drooling
If you notice any of these signs, be sure to take your dog to the vet. Even if you aren’t able to brush your pet’s mouth twice a day, at least brushing a few times a week can help your pet keep a cleaner mouth!