Brushing Your Dog's Teeth

Many people do not realize the importance of caring for their dog’s teeth. As dogs age, the need for dental care increases. The best way to ensure proper dental health for your dog is to start while they are very young.

Start young!

Many dogs do not like their mouths touched.  It is important for you as a dog owner to desensitize them to being handled like this at a very young age.  The veterinarian is always going to need to examine your dog’s mouth and you do not want to have problems with this.  The best way for you to get your dog used to having his mouth touched is to begin touching it when you first get your pup.  Make sure to touch the lips, open the mouth, and touch the teeth in a calm and relaxing way for about five minutes each day until your pup is used to being handled in this way.  Make this a regular part of your interaction with your dog so he remains calm when you are doing any kind of preventive dental care.

Brush daily (or, at the very least, twice a week)

Most veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily. Manufacturers make special toothpaste and brushes for dogs - don't be tempted to use a human toothpaste, as your dog will not be spitting it out! To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, you may want to start by putting a dab of dog toothpaste on a cotton ball and rubbing it over his teeth. Toothpaste for dogs is usually quite tasty to them, so he shouldn’t mind this. You can then try a finger brush, available at your veterinarian’s office or pet supply store.  Eventually, especially for larger breeds, you will want to graduate to a regular dog toothbrush. Regular brushing will help prevent the buildup of plaque and debris on your dog’s teeth.

If you are still nervous about brushing your dog's teeth, there is an excellent video showing a dog's daily toothbrushing which you can view here:
http://www.graspr.com/videos/How-To-Clean-A-Dogs-Teeth-1

Rawhide chews

Another way to help prevent plaque and buildup on your dog’s teeth is by using rawhide chews specially formulated for dental care.  Many companies manufacture these chews.  One of the best available is by C.E.T.  Most veterinarians carry C.E.T. dental health products.  C.E.T. chews are formulated with an enzyme that helps keep plaque from forming and prevents the buildup of bacteria.  Also, the natural abrasion of rawhide chews helps keep teeth healthy.  C.E.T. also makes a chew that contains chlorhexadine which has antimicrobial properties.

Some companies also make special dental health food, which may be recommended to you by your veterinarian to help prevent dental problems.

Dental cleaning by the vet

Even with proper preventive measures, most dogs will eventually need a dental cleaning from your veterinarian.  If your veterinarian recommends a dental cleaning, it is important that you follow through. If your dog develops dental disease, harmful bacteria can pass through into the bloodstream causing potentially serious problems such as kidney infections and infections involving the heart valves.

A dental cleaning performed by your veterinarian is much like a human dental cleaning, however your dog will need to be sedated. The anesthesia is light and with today’s technology is extremely safe.  Many veterinarians have anesthesia monitoring systems just like those used in human medicine. A thorough exam will be performed to determine if any teeth need to be pulled or repaired. Some veterinarians will do x-rays of the teeth to find any cracks or diseased teeth. After this, a trained member of the veterinary staff will perform a dental cleaning.  First, they will scale the teeth to remove the tartar above and below the gum line. This will be done with both hand instruments and ultrasonic scaling equipment. The teeth will be polished, which will make them smooth and help prevent plaque from adhering to them. Most veterinarians will also do a fluoride treatment, to help strengthen the enamel and prevent plaque from forming. If any teeth are diseased or broken, your veterinarian may pull them. Some veterinarians who specialize in dental care will perform root canals and other intensive dental work. Most veterinarians will put your dog on a treatment of antibiotics to help prevent bacterial infection.

It is very important to take good care of your dog’s teeth to keep them healthy and to prevent infections.  Always follow your veterinarian’s advice and if you have further questions, consult your veterinary staff or pet professional.

See also Causes of Bad Dog Breath

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