How To Clean Your Dog’s Teeth

By Fred Levine | October 22, 2018

Despite the fact that a dog’s mouth really is quite a bit cleaner than a human’s (and dogs are a lot less likely to develop dental issues like cavities), it is still critically important that you do everything you can to keep your dog’s teeth and smile as healthy as possible.

They aren’t brushing their teeth every morning and before bed each night – and doggie dentures have yet to be invented!

Learning how to clean your dog’s teeth is pretty simple and straightforward, and we include a couple of tips and tricks below that make this process even just a bit easier. It isn’t going to take very much of your time each day to keep your dog’s teeth happy and healthy, and you’ll be able to avoid serious doggie dental problems later down the line that can be very painful and even life-threatening.

Let’s get right to it!

Get your hands on a dog tooth brush and start scrubbing

The best dog tooth brush options on the market today are specifically designed for the layout of your dog’s mouth, and include a double-headed configuration with brushes at 45° angles to more effectively clean below the gum line than a traditional toothbrush would.

Now, the odds are pretty good that your dog isn’t going to be all that excited about their first brushing session. If you can train puppies at a young age to put up with a little bit of brushing the process becomes simpler, but even old dogs can be coaxed into getting comfortable with the 60 second or so exercise.

It isn’t a bad idea to exercise your dog before you brush, wearing out a little bit of their energy and getting them to be a little more inclined to sit while you brush. You should get your dog comfortable with the idea of a brush being inserted into their mouths before you go for the full minute scrub, letting them sniff and smell the brush and keeping these teeth brushing sessions nice and short the first few times.

If you notice your dog getting agitated, back off with the pressure or the speed. You really want to make sure that they are comfortable throughout the process. The last thing you want is your dog to bolt in the opposite direction every time they see the toothbrush coming out.

Dry food and dental toys are a killer combo, too

Dry food is much better than soft food or raw food when it comes time to clean your dog’s teeth, and if you have the opportunity to feed them a diet made up mostly of dry food you’re going to be doing them – and their smile – a world of good.

Soft food is a lot more susceptible to sticking to their teeth and causing tooth decay, whereas dry food will work to actively scrub their smile as they chew.

Dog toys designed with dental care in mind will help keep their teeth healthier as well. These toys are usually a little bit harder than more traditional dog toys, but you want to be sure to avoid toys that are too hard – toys that might run the risk of breaking their teeth and causing dental emergencies worse than what you’re already dealing with.

Use the inside info we highlight above and your dog’s smile will be pearly white for years to come!

RESEARCH:

Posted in Dogs