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How to Brush Dog Teeth?



(June 2, 2010)

The activity of brushing the teeth of your dog should begin as early as possible so that both you, as well as your pet get used to the habit. In the beginning, your dog will not trust you with putting strange-looking stuff in his mouth. However, as a pet owner, your first task is to make him feel comfortable and win his trust. For dog teeth care, you can begin by rubbing your fingers gently, along and inside your dog’s mouth. Once your dog gets accustomed to you doing that, wrap some sterile gauze around your fingers and put a little bit of dog toothpaste on it. Using human toothpaste will probably make him sick, as it is not edible and he can’t spit it out. Again, allow your dog to get used to that and then upgrade to a rubber pet brush, worn around the finger. Dab some toothpaste on it and rub his teeth gently. Doing this for about a minute is enough. Introduce a toothbrush only after he is comfortable with this. Before you begin brushing your dog's teeth with it, let him examine it for a few minutes each time. When you begin brushing the dog’s teeth, first brush the front teeth lightly and if possible, brush a few of the back teeth too. Every time you brush your dog’s teeth, increase the number of teeth that you brush. After a few sessions, your dog will get used to brushing his teeth regularly. Use the following tips to ensure that you brush your dog’s teeth in the right way:
  • Make your dog side next to you, on a couch or a chair that is big enough for both of you.
  • Apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush and insert it into the dog’s mouth. Starting at the back of the dog’s mouth, the top back teeth, brush the dog’s teeth, like you would your own.
  • Without being too rough, move the brush in a circular motion, from the gum line, down to the bottom of the tooth. Use your free hand to lift the dog’s lip in order to see how well you are brushing his teeth.
  • Continue brushing the top teeth and move the brush along to the teeth at the back. Focus more on the outer side of the teeth than the inner side.
  • Repeat the process with the bottom teeth.
  • Never brush the dog’s teeth too hard, for it could damage his gums.
Whenever you brush your dog’s teeth, make it a point to check for tartar, inflamed gums, dark spots, chipped teeth, etc that may need to be brought to a vet’s attention. Lack of proper dog oral care and dental hygiene could cause the pet's teeth to rot, fall out and become infected, eventually affecting their overall health. Occasionally, it may be advisable to have a vet clean the dog’s mouth.
Submitted by N M on June 2, 2010 at 12:26

 
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