It is crucial for everyone who owns a dog to learn how to properly take care of their teeth. While dogs may not require the same regular dental care as humans, it is still very important to make sure that your pet’s teeth are taken care of and are healthy.
Brushing your dog’s teeth
You do not need to brush your dog’s teeth every single day, but it is good to do it once in a while. It is best to use a brush that is double-headed for maximum efficiency. Brush your pet’s teeth at a 45 degree angle so you will be able to efficiently clean the gum line.
Your dog may not respond very well at your attempt to clean its teeth the first time, so it may take a bit of finesse in the beginning. You will want to select a time when your dog is likely to be relaxed to brush its teeth so you will be able to minimize the hassle involved in doing this.
Make sure not to overdo it while brushing your dog’s teeth so you do not irritate their gums, and give it a treat afterwards to reinforce good behavior.
Choosing the right tooth paste
You will need to select the right toothpaste to use for brushing your dog’s teeth, and it will not be the same as the kind as humans use. A majority of toothpaste includes fluoride, which can be very dangerous for a dog to ingest. You will be able to find toothpastes that are formulated specifically for dogs at your local pet supply store.
Stick with dry food
Dry food is a much better option when soft food when it comes to the overall health of your dog’s teeth, so you will want to keep this in mind when choosing one or the other. Crunchy kibble will keep your dog’s teeth strong, and soft food sticks to the teeth, causing decay.
Buying the right toys for your dog
Chew toys as well as synthetic bones are great for building up your dog’s teeth and keeping them strong. If you want your dog to have good dental hygiene, you will definitely want to buy plenty of these kinds of toys for them to play with. Most dogs love to chew on and play with bones, and they are great for their teeth.
Knowing when to see a veterinarian
It is also important that you know when to see a veterinarian about your dog’s teeth, because neglecting to do this could mean even more problems later on.
If your dog suddenly gets bad breath, has a change in eating or chewing habits, exhibits signs of depression, starts drooling excessively, has bumps or growths within the mouth, or red swollen bleeding gums, it is definitely time to take them to see a vet.
While not all of these signs indicate a serious problem, it is still important that you take them to get looked at by a vet just in case.
How often should you take your dog to the vet?
It is a good idea to take your dog to the vet for a checkup every 6-12 months, just as you would with a child. Your vet will be able to perform a dental examination with the normal checkup, but you will need to ask them to do it if they don’t automatically.
Dental care can be quite a hassle for both humans and dogs, but maintaining a regimen of proper oral hygiene can minimize this hassle quite a bit. Neglecting your dog’s dental care can result in major expenses down the road, as well as pain and suffering for your pet.