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Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth: Oral Care for Canines

According to a study from 2013, 78% of dogs above age three suffer from bad breath, making it the most common health problem affecting dogs. While the prevalence of oral health issues is quite alarming, what’s more concerning is that a significant number of owners have not taken the adequate action to address the situation. Most dog owners consider bad breath to be just a thing dogs have, but poor oral health can lead to serious medical conditions which can adversely affect your dog’s liver, kidney and lungs. It is incredibly important as a dog owner that you adopt a good dental hygiene routine for your dog. Doing so will protect more than just your dog’s teeth.

Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth

The well-known saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is very apt when dealing with your dog’s dental problems. Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is a key part of dog dental care and will save you a ton of trouble down the road. Conventional wisdom tells us that dogs have cleaner mouths than humans and are not as prone to cavities. But dogs can still develop tartar and plaque which can lead to dog tooth decay and gingivitis. To prevent this, regular brushing is highly recommended. Done incorrectly, brushing your dog’s teeth could be a very unpleasant experience for both of you. But here a few tips to follow to make the experience a lot more pleasant:  
  • Start brushing your dog’s teeth as early as possible
Instilling a good dental care routine for your dog should ideally start when your dog is still a puppy. Puppies will have their full set of teeth when they are 8-10 weeks old. Don’t start by using a toothbrush; Use your index finger instead. Just put some dog toothpaste on your finger and gently massage his gums. Your dog will be more comfortable using a toothbrush if you first acclimate him to brushing with your finger.
  • Pick the right toothpaste for your dog
NEVER use human toothpaste for your dog as it will contain fluoride which is highly poisonous to dogs. Choosing the right flavor is very important as not all dogs like the same sort of toothpaste.  Plan to try a few different types until you find the one your dog most enjoys.
  • Introduce the toothpaste gradually to your dog
When you’ve picked the toothpaste, have your dog lick it and get accustomed to the flavor so that brushing becomes easier.
  • Develop a routine
Brush your dog’s teeth when he’s calm and relaxed. The goal is to be able to set a specific time for the activity, perhaps shortly after he sees you brushing your teeth.
Person brushing a small dog’s teeth with a red toothbrush.
Person lifting a dog’s lip while brushing its teeth with a red toothbrush.

Dental Care Dog Foods

Maybe you don’t have the luxury of time to brush your dog’s teeth every day. Maybe you both hate the experience so much that doing it every other day feels like all you can handle. Or perhaps you just want to do a little extra to ensure your dog’s good oral health. Whatever the situation may be, you can supplement your dog’s dental hygiene through a special dental diet. While there are plenty of products in the market that claim to be dental care dog food, before buying any, you should look for the seal of approval for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). You can check their website for a complete list of VOHC accepted products.

Dental care dog foods are required to have the same nutrient content as regular food but have added ingredients to help clean a dog’s teeth. Humans are told to eat carrots because they help clean the gunk off our teeth. In the same way, Kibbles and treats that are made for dental diets are larger in size and have a fibrous texture which breaks easily. The edges then scrub the teeth of your dog as he chews.

While dental diets have all the nutrients needed for a normal daily diet, you shouldn’t run out and switch your dog completely over to these dog food brands. Your dog may not be able to tolerate a diet comprised exclusively of dental food so to be safe, start by introducing the dental diet dog food and slowly increasing the amount.

Other Dental Care Products for Dogs to Consider

There are other doggie dental care products that will help protect your dog’s dental health. Chlorehexidine can be used as an oral cleansing agent to address dog dental inflammations and infections. Aside from the bitter taste, it has no known side effects. Dogs can also benefit from chewing on bones as a natural remedy.
While dog dental care products help, it is also important to schedule regular visits to your veterinarian. The veterinarian will be able to assess if the overall dental health of your dog and recommend solutions should there be problems identified.

Putting in the effort to take care of your dog’s oral hygiene can be daunting but this will lead to a healthier and longer life for your beloved companion which makes it all worth it.