Guide to Cleaning Dogs' Teeth
Dental care is an
important part of the overall health of your dog and regular tooth
cleaning will prevent extensive dental treatment, pain and disease.
Cleaning dogs' teeth effectively takes practice, but anyone can
accomplish the task with patience. Although your dog's teeth should
be examined thoroughly at each veterinary visit, proper home care is
required for the long-term health of your dog's teeth and gums.
Canine toothbrushes and dental pastes are available at most pet
stores, although you can also use inexpensive alternatives with
success.
Preparing Your Dog for Teeth
Cleaning
If your dog is
very energetic and not prone to staying still, it's a good idea to
take him for a long walk or bike ride prior to tooth cleaning. This
will relax the dog and make him a bit more receptive to the
procedure. Over time, your dog will become accustomed to the
sensation of having his teeth cleaned and you'll be able to skip this
step.
Gather all of your
materials and place the animal on a comfortable surface near a bright
light. If you're using a commercial dog toothbrush and paste, prepare
the materials according to the manufacturer's instructions. If these
items are not available, you can use a clean washcloth for scrubbing
the teeth and baking soda mixed with water as a cleanser. Your dog
may prefer the taste of commercial toothpastes more than baking soda,
but it is effective for cleaning dogs' teeth and much less expensive.
Simply wrap the washcloth around your index finger and dip it into
the baking soda paste as you work.
Cleaning Dogs' Teeth Effectively
Gently roll your
dog's lips back to expose the teeth, but don't force his mouth open.
Be gentle, especially if this is the animal's first tooth cleaning.
Use the toothbrush or washcloth to brush each tooth, moving downward
from the gum while rotating the brush or cloth in a tight, circular
motion. Brush the inner side of each tooth in the same manner to
remove as much plaque and tartar as possible.
For the best
results, try to do a little at a time instead of completing the
entire job at once. Cleaning dogs' teeth can be tiresome,
particularly if you have an energetic dog. If you clean a few teeth
at a time, however, and give yourself and your dog a break, the
cleaning will likely be much more effective. In this way, your dog
will learn that while it isn't the most fun activity in the world, it
doesn't hurt and it won't last long.
Tips and Warnings
If your dog shows
any sign of aggressiveness towards people, don't attempt to clean his
teeth on your own. Instead, seek behavioral counseling to solve the
problem and take the animal to the veterinarian for teeth cleaning in
the meantime.
Never use human toothpaste that
contains fluoride for cleaning dogs' teeth. Only use products
specifically formulated for canines or baking soda and water to avoid
potential complications. Many canine toothpastes have a pleasant
flavor that dogs enjoy.
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Comments
I really need to start brushing my dog's teeth. Your tips are finally going to help me get started. And I don't even need to buy anything. Thanks for the information!
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