Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

The dental health of your dog is just as important as your own dental health, and neglecting their teeth can have just as many negative consequences as it would for people. There are a variety of different ways that you can look after your dog’s teeth, and by doing so, you are safeguarding their dental health for the future. We will explain all of the different ways in which you can look after your dog’s teeth and gums, and the negative consequences that can occur if you do not do so.

It won’t be time-consuming to take care of your dog’s teeth, and you can simply integrate it into their normal grooming routine. Anything that you need to know about doggy dental health will be explained here so that you can be aware of what you need to do to look after your dog’s dental health.

Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

The quick answer to this question is yes. If you want to do something extra to help keep your dog’s teeth in excellent condition, then you can brush their teeth to help to keep them clean and avoid a build-up of plaque. There are also dogs that are at a higher risk of dental disease than others, which may require more attention. 

Before you start the teeth cleaning process, make sure that you know what you are doing, so you don’t accidentally hurt your dog. You can consult with a vet if you are unsure, and they will show you exactly what you need to do. The best time to start cleaning their teeth is when they are puppies, as this will get them used to the process. It can be much more difficult to try and brush your dog’s teeth when they are already an adult, as it is a foreign concept that can be intrusive. When they are puppies, you can get them used to teeth brushing, and it will become a normal part of their routine. 

How to Clean My Dog’s Teeth

The first thing that you will need to do is purchase a suitable toothbrush and toothpaste for your dog. You can use a standard child’s toothbrush, but you will need to make sure that the brush isn’t too firm. The toothpaste must be specifically designed for dogs because human toothpaste is not suitable for dogs, and it can make them very unwell. 

You can brush your dog’s teeth as you would brush your own, but make sure to brush in a circular motion. Try to pay attention to the area in which the tooth meets the gum, as this is the area that often gets missed out. Some dogs might not have a problem with this process, but others might. Make sure to be patient, and to take things at their pace. Always use positive reinforcement to encourage your dog and let them know that they are doing a good job. 

Try to make teeth brushing a regular part of their routine so that they can get used to it. If you don’t include it as part of their routine, they are likely to dislike it because it is not a normal occurrence.

Signs of Dental Disease in Dogs

Dental disease is much more common in dogs that have nobody to look after their dental health. However, this doesn’t mean that if you clean your dog’s teeth, they will never get dental disease. It is still possible. Sometimes, dental disease will appear quite quickly, though other times, it might take a long time to become aggressive and start displaying obvious signs. Thankfully, there are signs that you can look out for to make sure you catch it quickly. If your dog is showing any signs of dental disease, you should take them to a vet immediately. Signs of dental disease can include:

• Deposit build-ups on the teeth
• Damaged and bleeding gums
• An infected and poor-smelling mouth
• The sensitive root of the tooth may be exposed and painful
• Discoloured teeth that die and fall out
• Your dog refusing to eat, or showing signs that it is painful for them when they try to eat

Other Ways of Cleaning Your Dog’s Teeth

Something that you may not have known is that dry food can actually work to help keep your dog’s teeth clean. If they are on a dry food diet, the crunching of the food can help to remove any plaque that has built up on their teeth. If they have a wet food diet, this isn’t the case, but there are other ways of introducing the same method into your dog’s diet.

You can use dental sticks or the occasional crunchy treat, which will work in the same way. Dental sticks will help get rid of plaque on the teeth by dislodging it. They can also have other benefits included in the treat too.

Try to remember that all dogs are different, and there is never one specific diet that is going to work for every single dog. However, there are other things that you can implement into their diet to help with their teeth. It is all about finding out what works best for them and including it into part of their routine. Dry foods and treats can even help to exercise their chewing muscles, which can help to strengthen their jaws. You can also use hard chew toys for muscle strengthening. 

How Often Should I Clean My Dog’s Teeth?

Ideally, you should brush your dog’s teeth every day, but this might not be possible for everyone. However, you should try to brush their teeth as often as you can when you do get the time. Teeth brushing two times a week should be efficient enough to keep on top of their overall dental health. You should also brush them for two minutes each time that you do brush them.

Do Dog Toothbrushes Work?

For some dogs, it is perfectly fine to use a child-sized toothbrush, as long as it has soft bristles. This toothbrush can be used to clean your dog’s teeth even if it isn’t designed specifically for dogs. However, there are also toothbrushes that are specifically designed for dogs that you can use too, and it is perfectly fine to do so. It all depends on which option is more convenient for you, but typically, dog toothbrushes are more expensive. 

The type of toothbrush that you will use will depend on the breed of dog that you have. Smaller dogs have smaller jaws, which might not be able to accommodate a toothbrush that is relatively large. There is a type of toothbrushing tool that you can attach to your finger that does a really great job of brushing teeth of a variety of dog breeds. 

You should think about replacing the toothbrush that you are using around every six months, depending on how often you use it. Those that are brushing their dog’s teeth daily might need to change the brush that they are using more often.