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This article was co-written by Cameron Thompsen. Cameron Thompsen is an expert dog and human trainer, owner and founder of Hope2K9. With nearly 20 years of experience, she specializes in assisting dogs and dog owners with behavioral issues, such as anxiety disorders, overreactions, aggression, and fear-based problems. She trains all dogs at Hope2K9 so they are fully skilled before being adopted, and provides lifelong support to dog adopters.
There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 26,094 times.
Brushing is one of the most important steps in taking care of your dog’s overall health. To keep your dog’s breath fresh, you should do this every day. Clean teeth also help your dog improve health, stay happy and prolong life. Plaque and tartar don’t just cause bad breath. It also comes with the risk of damaging teeth. More seriously, poor oral hygiene can lead to painful infections, damage to the kidneys, heart, and liver, and threaten your dog’s life. By regularly brushing your dog’s teeth, you’ll help improve your dog’s quality of life.
Steps
Preparing to Brush Your Teeth
- Dog toothbrushes have softer bristles than regular brushes and are designed to help you get into hard-to-reach places in your dog’s mouth. [2] X Research Source
- The choice of brush should be based on the size of your dog. A large dog will need a large brush, and conversely, a small brush to accommodate smaller dog mouth sizes.
- There are also cage brushes that fit snugly on your fingertips, helping you brush more precisely. However, this type of brush comes with the risk that the dog will accidentally bite your finger when you put it in their mouth.
- Do not use an adult toothbrush to brush your dog’s teeth. You can use a small and soft baby grade if needed.
- Other tools should only be tried when your dog refuses all regular toothbrushes, including dental sponges and bandages. [3] X Research Sources
- Human toothpaste contains fluoride and some other ingredients that can be toxic. Humans don’t swallow toothpaste when brushing their teeth, but many dogs do. Swallowing human toothpaste can cause vomiting and risk of kidney damage. [5] X Research Sources
- Dog toothpaste comes in a variety of flavors to make brushing more pleasant for your dog.
- You can try a variety of flavors to find the one that works best for both you and your dog. [6] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Starting to brush at an early age will help your dog get used to the brush and daily brushing operations. [8] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- However, early brushing won’t make much of a difference in a dog’s oral hygiene. Because dogs won’t have enough permanent teeth until six to seven months of age.
- A good time to do this is usually after the dog has just finished exercising or playing, he is in a tired state and will not have the strength to resist you.
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
- It may take some time for the dog to get used to your hand touching its mouth.
- After the dog has tasted the toothpaste, begin to lift his lips and rub your fingers along his teeth and gums. This is also the action when you brush your dog’s teeth with the brush you will use. [12] X Research Source
- You can also let the dog lick a little toothpaste on the brush and praise and cheer him for the action. This will make the dog get used to the brush in his mouth. [13] X Research Source
- Gently lift the upper lip, place the toothbrush on the teeth. And slowly brush back and forth.
- This will help your dog experience new sensations with the brush on his teeth and gums, and help you check his reaction.
- Some dogs will agree to brushing, but if the dog reacts reluctantly or becomes aggressive, beware. It’s best to do this when there are friends or relatives around who can pet and help calm the dog.
- You should use a gentle voice to help your dog stay calm during the procedure. If the dog continues to resist or becomes aggressive, give it a break and try again another day. If this reaction persists, consult your veterinarian or dog trainer for advice.
- After brushing a few teeth, praise and reward the dog with a treat and end the brushing session. [15] X Research Source
- Gradually increase the number of teeth to be brushed after each session, until all of your dog’s teeth are cleaned. [17] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Try to brush along the gum line. This will help you brush clean without trying too hard to open your dog’s mouth. [18] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Each brushing session should only last a few minutes. It will take a few times for your dog to get used to this.
- During the process, praise your dog in a gentle voice while brushing. [19] X Research Source
- Place one hand on the dog’s muzzle, lift his upper lip, and open his mouth. If your dog is reluctant to open his mouth, gently slip your finger in and apply some force to make it easier.
- Once the dog’s mouth is open, start brushing the easy areas first. As always, brush the easy areas first and slowly. Move to more difficult spots as your dog gets used to this brushing. [21] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- A dog’s tongue naturally controls tartar build-up along the inner surface of the teeth. Brushing your teeth will make a big difference, though.
- Daily brushing is best. This will help prevent periodontal disease, a painful and infectious disease that can wreak havoc on your dog’s health. [23] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- If your dog has loose teeth, or bleeding gums, you should consult your veterinarian before you start brushing your dog’s teeth. [24] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
- Start slowly and try to make brushing a daily habit. If you can’t brush your dog’s teeth every day, brush your dog’s teeth as often as possible to help him keep his teeth healthy.
Teeth Cleaning for Uncooperative Dogs
- You can use old socks, an old washcloth, or take a clean piece of gauze and wrap it around your finger. [25] X Research Sources
- Using this method to “brush” helps you rub, distribute the cream evenly on the dog’s teeth and reduce the accumulation of plaque on the teeth.
- You can let your dog chew on rawhide, nylon, or rubber toys. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian first to make the correct decision.
- Giving your dog chew toys can be a good alternative to daily brushing. But in the long run, it shouldn’t.
- There are also special foods that help clean dogs’ teeth, but it is not a substitute for brushing.
- Before using these products you should consult your veterinarian.
- Remember to regularly discuss your dog’s dental problems with your veterinarian during your visit. [29] X Research Sources
Advice
- You do not need to rinse your dog’s mouth after brushing. Many dog toothpastes contain enzymes that slow plaque build-up, and it works best while it’s still in contact with the surface of the teeth.
- If you yell at your dog, he will perceive brushing as reluctant and likely to react negatively. Do everything gently, relax and be comfortable.
- Similar to training, you should have a reward or praise for your dog after every successful step. This helps the dog feel positive and increases the spirit of cooperation. The rewards will greatly assist in this dental cleaning work. [30] X Research Source
- Small and short-snouted dogs, such as the Tibetan lion dog (Shih Tzu) and bulldog, are the ones that benefit most from daily brushing. At least once a day, or twice a day is best if possible, because the teeth of these breeds are very tight and the mouth size is small, making it easy and quick for plaque and tartar to build up. [31] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
Warning
- Failure to take care of oral hygiene can have many negative health consequences for dogs. Good oral hygiene not only promotes health, but also helps your little friend to live longer and have a happier life.
- If you feel your dog needs further assistance, contact your veterinarian for advice.
- Don’t try to force it if your dog refuses to brush his teeth. If it shows signs of fear or aggressive reactions during cleaning, stop immediately. You may need to consult a behaviorist to deal with this. [32] X Trusted Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Go to source
This article was co-written by Cameron Thompsen. Cameron Thompsen is an expert dog and human trainer, owner and founder of Hope2K9. With nearly 20 years of experience, she specializes in assisting dogs and dog owners with behavioral issues, such as anxiety disorders, overreactions, aggression, and fear-based problems. She trains all dogs at Hope2K9 so they are fully skilled before being adopted, and provides lifelong support to dog adopters.
There are 8 references cited in this article that you can see at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 26,094 times.
Brushing is one of the most important steps in taking care of your dog’s overall health. To keep your dog’s breath fresh, you should do this every day. Clean teeth also help your dog improve health, stay happy and prolong life. Plaque and tartar don’t just cause bad breath. It also comes with the risk of damaging teeth. More seriously, poor oral hygiene can lead to painful infections, damage to the kidneys, heart, and liver, and threaten your dog’s life. By regularly brushing your dog’s teeth, you’ll help improve your dog’s quality of life.
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