Dog Teeth Cleaning – Is it Necessary?
Dog teeth cleaning should be something which is done regularly as a part of your pet care routine. If possible, your dog’s teeth should be brushed daily, or least every other day. Dogs are just as susceptible as we are to tooth disease, so it is important to make sure that our dog’s teeth are kept clean and free of tartar.
Dental Disease and Your Dog’s Health
Dogs can get many of the same tooth, gum and mouth diseases as we can – and since your dog can’t tell you if they have a toothache, pet owners have to make sure to take care of their dog’s teeth. Left alone, a tooth infection can lead to more serious problems with their vital organs.
Your dog’s diet definitely has a direct effect on their dental health. Choosing foods and treats that are fortified and designed to keep their teeth and gums healthy are an easy way to implement dental hygiene into your dog’s life. Although professional cleaning by a veterinarian is an option, this should only be considered in extreme cases as unnecessarily having your dog anesthetized is not only expensive, but it also puts undue stress on your pet.
Getting Your Pet Used to Dog Teeth Cleaning
Even if your dog is no longer a puppy you can train them to accept having their teeth brushed with some patience and perseverance. Both dogs and puppies alike can be acclimated to having the toothbrush in their mouths simply by starting out using your finger and a dab of peanut butter.
Your dog will lick your finger – this will let you start rubbing their teeth and gums. Be sure to offer plenty of praise while you do this. Soon, your dog will be used to this and you can move on to a finger wrapped in gauze. Rub the teeth and gums in a circular motion, just as you would with a toothbrush. When your pet becomes accustomed to this, you’re ready to move in to the real thing.
Don’t use toothpaste made for people – this will give your dog an upset stomach. Use dog toothpaste instead; these are designed to be appealing to dogs. Let your dog lick some off of the brush, then add more and start brushing.
Lift the sides of your dog’s gums so you can access their upper teeth, aptly called the canines, and hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle for the best results. This allows you to clean the gum line as well as the teeth to keep the gums equally as healthy. Brushing two to three teeth at a time, brush in a circular motion anywhere from eight to ten times or so in order to get each area clean. A dog’s upper back teeth tend to be the most susceptible to decay and periodontal disease, so if anything, focus your efforts there first.
Make dog tooth cleaning time a happy time for your dog. Stay calm so your dog won’t get too excited. It should only take about a minute a day for effective dog teeth cleaning and maintain their good health.
Related Reading:
- Get Whiter Teeth
In recent years dental cleanliness has gained immense popularity. Proper brushing as well as regular flossing helps one in solving teeth related problems to a larger extent. One should try and make... - Make Teeth Whiter – Best Methods You Can Use
Just like television actors and movie stars most of us would love to have pearly white teeth but over the years due to smoking, diet and sometimes illness our teeth quite often... - A Guide To Avoid Gum Disease And Have Healthy Teeth
Gum disease is considered as a severe condition that is prevalent mostly among adults. Gum disease becomes a baffling state as with time it leads to receding of the jaw line. About... - Are Teeth Whitening Gums Really Effective?
In the quest to have brighter smiles, a lot of people have turned into teeth whitening. Teeth whitening has become so popular that shelves at the drugstores and groceries are filled with... - Are you able to get White Teeth By Using Peroxide And Baking Soda?
I am sure that you have noticed that the stars have extremely white teeth. It seems like you can not turn around without seeing a pearly white smile shining back at you...
