How can I clean my dog's teeth?

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It's important for your dog’s teeth to be clean and well cared for. It’s not just about fresh breath and pearly whites, bad dental hygiene can lead to a range of health issues such as plaque build-up, tartar, gingivitis etc. Whilst these conditions are treatable, if left untreated, bacteria can enter the bloodstream affecting the liver, kidneys, and heart. As with many things, prevention is better than cure, so adopting a regular routine to keep on top of your pet’s dental hygiene is definitely the way to go.

Brushing your dog’s teeth is not the simplest of tasks but well worth the time and effort. It is best to introduce teeth brushing as a puppy, so that your pet is used to the routine from the beginning. Use a toothbrush and toothpaste specifically designed for dogs, it is imperative that you DO NOT use a human toothpaste as these often contain Fluoride which is poisonous to our canine friends.

Start by gradually getting your dog used to you handling his muzzle and lifting his lips. Try wiping a tasty treat onto his gums with your finger to make the process a positive experience. It is best to do this when your dog is calm and relaxed, so maybe after his daily walk rather than before when he still has lots of energy!

Once your pup is happy for you to handle his mouth, introduce him to the toothbrush letting him sniff and lick it. Canine toothpaste is often meat flavoured so let him lick some off your finger. Start the cleaning process gradually, maybe just doing a couple of teeth at first and building up. If he won’t sit still long enough to do the whole mouth, then do one side one day and the other side the next day. Whilst daily brushing would be great, don’t set yourself up to fail, 3 or 4 times a week would make a huge difference to your dog’s dental hygiene.

There are other ways of helping your dog’s teeth to stay healthy. There are many dental dog treats on the market today which aid with teeth cleaning whilst being chewed. Just be weary not to over use these as they can be quite calorific. Another option is chew toys and plastic bones. The bumpy surfaces, again, aid the teeth cleaning process whilst your dog has fun. Dried dog food is better for your dog’s teeth than wet food as it will not stick to the teeth in the same way.

When visiting your vet, ask them to do a quick check inside the mouth (they will probably do this anyway). If there are significant issues they might suggest booking your pet in for dental work. If your dog is having an anaesthetic for any reason, this a good time for the vet to do any non-urgent work to keep on top of any dental issues without undergoing further anaesthesia. If you notice any changes in your dog’s eating habits, bad breath, excessive drooling, missing teeth, bleeding gums, new lumps or bumps or anything out of the ordinary, pop along and let your vet have a look.

Keeping on top of your furry friends dental hygiene will be far better and less painful for him and far cheaper for you in the long run, as pet insurance often doesn’t cover dental work.

Should I buy dog toothpaste and a dog toothbrush for my dog?

Use special dog toothpaste and a dog toothbrush to ensure that your dog doesn’t get gum disease later on. Dog toothpaste is available in lots of different tasty flavours so your dog can see it as a treat. You can also purchase dog dental treats, chews and toys to help clean your dog's teeth between brushing.