Brushing your dogs teeth is so important for their overall health. Even so, brushing your dogs teeth can be a daunting task to get into. I often find myself feeling a little grossed out, and feeling a good bit of pity for having to hold my dog down and shove a bacon-flavored stick into the mouth.
Even so, regularly brushing your dogs teeth can make the whole situation a lot less scary for your dog - and you! In time you and your pup will become a lot more comfortable with the situation through regular exposure. Consequently, you can train even the most skittish dog to comfortably allow you to brush their teeth with a little patience and perseverance.
What happens if you don't routinely brush your dogs teeth?
A lot of people wonder this... but what really happens? You may have seen that yellow color that accumulates at the base of your pups teeth. This is sign of damage to your dogs teeth, and a pretty good sign you should schedule an appointment with your vet to check for any unseen damage/fractures. Veterinarian Cathy Gilabert answered this question for us on Quora:
“Depends on the dog. Large breeds have good teeth. Small breeds will have gingivitis and lots of tartar build up. That being said, yearly dentals with radiographs are best, just like people, dogs can have issues that can't be seen unless you're doing a full dental exam. Dogs can have slab fractures if you're feeding bones. And pets will continue to eat even if they're in a lot of pain, I don't think people realize that.”
- Cathy Gilabert, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University
No human likes having plaque lined teeth and bad breath, dogs don't like it either. So be sure to regularly brush your little loved ones teeth!
What you will need
Your first, and possibly most important step in brushing your dogs teeth is to get the supplies you need. In order to brush your dogs teeth, you will need:
A dog tooth brush
Dog approved toothpaste
Some treats for rewarding and reinforcing good behavior
Click on the item ☝️ to be taken to an online shop that sells them. There are different sized tooth brushes for dogs, so be sure to get one that suits your dog's breed.
Dog toothpaste comes in many different flavors. You can purchase mint flavored, pork flavored, flavorless, and many more. Experiment with different flavors and find what your dog likes. As a result, brush time will get much easier for you and will even be an enjoyable experience for your pet. Be sure to get dog approved toothpaste, you DO NOT use human toothpaste.
Step By Step
Brushing your pups teeth luckily is fairly easy and does not take more than a few minutes.
Step one: Put your dog on a table or kneel down to their level. Take some time to give your dog love and make them feel comfortable and calm before introducing the tools.
Step two: Take your doggy toothbrush and apply a small amount of toothpaste to the brush. This is a great time to introduce your dog to the item (especially if it's their first time). Even if it isn't their first time, allow your dog to smell the toothbrush and toothpaste. Sense of smell is a main way dogs navigate the world and this will help them understand what is happening.
Step three: Lift up your dog's muzzle or cheek to reveal their teeth. Brush the front of your pup's teeth in a back and forth motion. Be sure to get all the way in the back and all in the front. You do not need to brush the inside of the teeth because the tongue does a great job of keeping this part of their mouth clean. I find it is easiest to start in the back and work your way towards the front.
Step Four: Routinely repeat this action. Veterinarian specialists recommend brushing everyday, as brushing as few times as once a month or even once a week still leaves room for development of gingivitis and infection. Watch my tutorial video below for a more in-depth how-to.
You got this!
Time to give it a go! Get out there and brush your dogs teeth. You brush your teeth everyday, so accomplishing this task won't be hard! The tough part is sticking to it. Incorporate this into any of your daily routines, and you will find it becomes a habit in no time. Your dog will love the attention, and the fresh breath. Cheers!
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