You may have to visit a dog spa, dog daycare or vet clinic for grooming. But should a trip to those places for tooth brushing be part of your busy daily routine as well?
Brushing your dog’s teeth prevents serious bad breath and serious dental disease in the future. Know that dental diseases affect the overall status of your pet’s health. Thus, basic dental care is an important part of keeping his or her health.
Here are important tips to help you in taking care of your best buddy’s teeth:
- Warning: Not all dogs will let you brush their teeth.
If you started incorporating tooth brushing as a daily routine while your buddy’s still a pup, chances are he or she can accept it easily. However, adult dogs can be a problem when it comes to this. We’re not saying that adult dogs cannot tolerate tooth brushing, but some of them may not.
The key here is to start slowly, patiently and carefully. Be careful enough not to get bit in the process. Do this regularly so your dog will get accustomed to it. Now, if by chance your dog is one of those who cannot tolerate tooth brushing, then consider other methods such as oral rinses, dental treats (not real bones) and food or water additives.
- Tooth Brushing Supplies
For tooth brushing, you need to purchase and prepare the following supplies:
- Toothpaste for dogs– find a suitable flavor that your pet cannot resist.
- Toothbrush for dogs– get two kinds of toothbrush: the finger brush and the long tooth brush.
- The Process
In starting out, put a little toothpaste on your finger and let your pet taste it. Don’t forget to give your approval or praise when your dog licks it. Next, lift the lip on the side of your dog’s mouth and try to rub the tooth-paste coated finger along the outside of his or her teeth as well as the top and bottom gumline. Stay alert and sensitive if your dog will let you do the same for the back teeth. Do not force his or her mouth to open. Should there be any signs of agitation, stop and try to do it later. Just be patient and positive with this process until your dog gets comfortable with your finger in his mouth.
Next, if he or she is already comfortable with the first step, try to use the finger brush. Once your pet gets accustomed to it, try the long brush but be gentle in doing so. You don’t want to scare or traumatize your dog with tooth brushing, do you? Try to gently brush in an upward angle along the outer gumline and spend 1-2 minutes on each side of the mouth. There’s no need to force your dog for an inner side brushing at this time. It may take time but know that it’s simply worth it.