Most people brush their teeth when waking up and going to bed. Your teeth are something you probably want to keep around, so taking care of them is a must. The same goes for your dog too!
Regular brushing will keep your dog’s mouth healthy and mostly odor free as well.
How to brush dog teeth is not much different than brushing your own, though their teeth are not in your mouth. No need to worry though because today we go over how to brush dog teeth.
Why Should you Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?
When you consider why you should brush your dog’s teeth, the answer is really the same as why you should brush your own teeth. Neglecting your teeth can cause a whole number of issues including:
- Discolored teeth
- Swollen or red gums
- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling
- Bloody saliva
- Difficulty eating
- Weight loss
None of these symptoms sound good. Having a poorly maintained mouth will lead to poor quality of life. We of course want to give our dog the best life possible.
How to Brush Dog Teeth
Learning how to brush dog teeth couldn’t be easier. The best part is that you already know how to brush your teeth. It’s not much different, but there is some technique to get down so your dog will cooperate with you.
First, pick a calm place to brush your dog’s teeth. If there are screaming kids, loud TV, loud noises from outside, you’re probably not going to have a good time. One you’ve got the spot picked out, try to handle your dog’s mouth. Hopefully they are used to you or your vet handling their mouth so this shouldn’t be a problem. If there is push back, you may consider some rewards or treats to help.
Once your dog will let you handle their mouth, try touching the toothbrush to their teeth. If your dog lets you, be sure to reward them. Next add toothpaste to the brush. Again, it’s worth saying that slow and steady is the way to go. Let your dog get a taste of the toothpaste before trying to brush.
Start with the top teeth. Hold the upper lip up so you can see what you’re doing. Then begin to brush using gentle strokes. Work the front of their teeth and slowly move your way toward the back. Always use gentle pressure and work the outside of your dog’s teeth.
Once you finish the top teeth, begin working on the bottom using the same method. Start with the front and move your way slowly toward the back brushing only the outside of your dog’s teeth.
Once you’ve done the outside of their teeth, you can try doing the same on the inside of your dog’s teeth. Only continue to the inside if your dog is tolerating it. If they are getting antsy, you can call it quits and always come back to it later once your dog has calmed down.
Tips for Brushing Dog Teeth
Remember that even if you’re not brushing your dog’s teeth every day, doing it as much as you can is something. A few times a week is better than never at all!
Never use human toothpaste on your dog. If you’ve run out of dog toothpaste, just using the brush and some water is a better substitute. Human toothpaste can harm your dog.
You should also never force your dog when brushing their teeth. If a brushing is a traumatic event, your dog is much less likely to be calm nest time. And you want there to be a next time.
Getting your dog’s teeth brushed isn’t natural for them. Because of this, liberally use treats to let them know that they are doing a good job.
And treating will make this a positive experience for your dog. If your dog struggles and fights with you to brush their teeth, you’re not going to want to do it as much. If this is the case, your dog will be the one to suffer.
Hopefully these tips on how to brush dog teeth have given you all you need to really help your furry friend.