Just like humans, dogs also need dental care. For the safe removal of plaque buildup from teeth, brushing is important. The vet suggests taking your dog on annual teeth cleaning to avoid any dental disorders. You may need some practice and time, to get your canine on board with regular tooth brushing. But have faith that this patience is worth it all. Your pup might not be comfortable at first, but follow these steps to make him familiar with that.
How to brush dog teeth
Choose the right time
Daily dog brushing is ideal but three times a week can also help your dog’s health. You should brush your dog’s teeth when they are relaxed and calm. No teeth brushing can cause plaque formation which results in tooth decay, gum disorder, painful infections, and bad breath. Severe infection can also occur which can be life-threatening.
Collect the tools
The bristles of dog toothbrushes are soft and they are specially aligned. Long handle brushes are fine for larger dogs but for dogs under 30 pounds, you can go with a finger brush. Don’t use human toothpaste and go with dog toothpaste which also comes in peanut and poultry flavor.
Get your position
Don’t stand in a threatening pose, hold the pooch down or stand over him. You can kneel, sit beside, or in front of your pooch. If you see your dog is stressed or anxious, stop brushing and try it later.
Get dog gums ready
To make your pooch ready for the toothbrush, rub your finger gently along the teeth and upper gum. This rub aids your pooch become attuned to sensation. Be patient and use light pressure. Your dog might become comfortable after several toothbrush sessions.
Check the toothpaste and toothbrush
On your fingerprint, take some dog-safe toothpaste and let your pooch lick it to accustom to the taste and texture of toothpaste. After a few days, if your pooch doesn’t wanna lick this toothpaste, you can also try another flavor. Feasibly, you can get the taste they like.
Once your dog becomes accustomed to touching and opening their mouth, start using a toothbrush and toothpaste together. Lift your dog’s upper lip gently and point the toothbrush at an angle of 45 degrees against their teeth. It will aid the bristles to reach the gumline and plaque removal.
Brush in a circular motion
Brush in small circular motions, ensuring both top and bottom on each side. Light bleeding may occur when you move the bristles along his gumline but every so often light bleeding is usual. However heavy and persistent bleeding is an indication of gum disorder and aggressive brushing. In this case, consult your veterinarian.
Give interest to plaque
Try to start the brushing session with a few teeth and slowly increase as the pooch becomes comfortable. Two-minute brushing is ideal. At first, if your canine is resisting, pay attention to the outer surfaces of the pooch and back teeth where plaque buildup is likely more. Cleaning of the inside surface is very great, but don’t worry if can’t reach them. In these areas, the cleanliness level can be maintained by your dog’s tongue.
Can you put baking soda on a dog’s teeth?
NO! Baking soda is alkaline and can disturb the acid level in a dog’s stomach and digestive tract if swallowed. Baking soda is also uncooperative for your pup as it doesn’t taste good.
Can you brush a dog’s teeth with human toothpaste?
NO! Human toothpaste has ingredients that are unsafe for our furry friends. Your dog can have stomach and digestive issues in case he swallows this. Some products of human toothpaste have xylitol which is toxic for your pooch, while others may have high sodium content which may cause illness in our pups.
can pine bark clean a dog’s teeth?
NO! Pine bark extract is not safe for your dog’s tooth cleaning. You should try to go with dog-safe toothpaste, chews, and brushes as they are more effective for cleaning.
Recommended dental care products
Toothpaste: your pet can enjoy the flavor as well as the biological benefits by having enzymatic pet toothpaste.
Toothbrush: keep your canine’s toothbrush separate from other pets. Adult or child-sized toothbrushes having soft bristles go very well. Another option is using a silicone finger brush. While you are brushing your pooch’s teeth, bristle action is of the utmost importance as it helps in disturbing plaque formation.
Conclusion
Brushing the dog’s teeth is simple if you start with simple steps like choosing the right time and appropriate toothpaste with a toothbrush. The story doesn’t end here, you also need to engage yourself gently with your pooch to make him more comfortable.
Make your pooch’s smile healthy!
