How to brush a dog”s teeth?

Although it may seem like a little chore, brushing your dog’s teeth is crucial to their overall health. Dogs who don’t get regular dental cleanings may experience gum disease, tooth decay, and foul breath, just like humans. Thankfully, it’s simple to incorporate brushing into your dog’s routine if you have a little patience.

A common concern among dog owners is that brushing their pet’s teeth will be challenging or upsetting. But if you take the proper approach, it can be a straightforward and even pleasurable experience for you and your dog. Making the process as comfortable as possible and introducing it gradually are crucial.

This post will guide you through the process of brushing your dog’s teeth, from selecting the best toothbrush to making it enjoyable for your pet.

Why do dogs need teeth cleaning?

A lot of dog owners think that nature has it so that an animal’s oral cavity will always be in order and that brushing a dog’s teeth is not necessary. Actually, this is untrue. While eating coarse, fibrous food, wild animals clean their teeth, but they also suffer from dental issues. Domestic dogs typically consume soft natural products or dry food, which prevents their teeth from naturally cleaning themselves while they eat.

The owner is responsible for brushing the dog’s teeth because it is unable to do so on its own. Inadequate dental and oral hygiene practices will cause plaque to quickly accumulate on your pet’s teeth, which will then harden into dense tartar. Eventually, the gums will be affected, leading to inflammation, loosening of the tooth structure, periodontitis, gingivitis, and other unpleasant conditions.

See a special article for more information on the signs and treatments of gingivitis.

The dog’s dental tartar and plaque won’t go away on their own.

If the pet’s owner brushes its teeth starting when the animal is a puppy, dental problems won’t scare the animal and it will live to a very respectable age maintaining the same white teeth as when it was younger. The key is to start the dog off with early cleaning acclimatization so that later on the process won’t frighten or discomfort the animal. Even so, an adult dog can be trained to be patient; the key is to act gently but firmly, give the animal praise, and reward it with a treat after cleaning.

How to teach a dog to brush its teeth?

Although the dog’s baby teeth do not require cleaning, it is important to acclimate them to proper hygiene practices during their puppy years, as they change every four to six months. The ideal time to begin brushing your pet’s teeth is right before bed in the evening. The puppy must eat dinner, be prepared for bed, take a nice walk, and run around and play. A happy, well-fed puppy who is tired will not resist as much.

You will need to buy the dog a special toothbrush and pet paste ahead of time (we will explain your options below). To help the baby understand that these items are not dangerous, give the pet both the toothbrush and the toothpaste to sniff (usually they have a neutral or attractive smell for the dog).

It is relatively easy to acclimate dogs to dental hygiene

To help the puppy understand that the owner enjoys the procedure and that the owner is content with it if the dog tolerates it calmly, you must speak to him affectionately and give him encouragement on a regular basis. It is advisable to begin acclimating him to having two people brush his teeth: one person will hold the puppy in their arms while the other will brush his teeth.

You can initially get by without a toothbrush by using your fingers to lift the dog’s lips, then putting some toothpaste on the index finger of your other hand and rubbing it over the infant’s teeth and gums. You can give the puppy praise and cease the experimentation until the following day once he has become accustomed to the taste of toothpaste and has realized that the process is painless.

To create a habit, it is preferable to brush the dog’s teeth in the same spot every time.

Thus, you can keep using your finger to brush the puppy’s teeth for a few days. Once he becomes a little accustomed to the movements, introduce him to a toothbrush. If the dog does not object, you can start a thorough cleaning right away. You should clean the teeth from the inside and the outside, making sure to get every tooth in the row from top to bottom.

If the puppy doesn’t cooperate, you have to keep trying. Cleaning should still be done every day, taking a few extra seconds each time, and giving the dog constant praise. It is impossible to forcefully brush the puppy’s teeth or fix its mouth "tightly"; the infant will become frightened and will always associate the owner’s hands with the toothbrush as a source of pain and anxiety.

The dog shouldn’t be frightened to clean its teeth.

If a dog is uncooperative or thinks brushing its teeth is a game, its owners frequently refuse to do it and try to bite the owner or the toothbrush. It is not appropriate to do this. As you calmly and lovingly converse with the dog, put an end to any attempts on its part to remove the toothbrush or escape. If the animal’s excitement prevents you from brushing every tooth at once, brush as many as you can before the puppy becomes anxious and escapes. With each procedure, the cleaning duration is extended until all teeth are cleaned simultaneously.

Video – Oral hygiene of a dog

In addition to preventing gum disease, bad breath, and other major health problems, brushing your dog’s teeth is vital for their general wellbeing. To ensure your pet has a positive experience, use a soft brush and toothpaste that is suitable for dogs. Introduce the process gradually. Frequent brushing helps minimize the possibility of future costly veterinary bills while also keeping their teeth clean and breath fresh.

Choosing a toothbrush and toothpaste for a dog

A wide variety of dog toothpastes and toothbrushes can be found in any modern pet store. Remember that you can purchase a human toothbrush by selecting the model with the softest bristles. Large breed dogs should use this option as a human toothbrush is too small for their mouths and may cause damage to the oral cavity.

It is imperative that you purchase dog toothpaste because human products are not appropriate for canines. Because human toothpastes contain flavoring agents that are too strong for a dog’s sensitive sense of smell, if a pet swallows toothpaste, it may cause vomiting or even poisoning.

A child-sized toothbrush can be purchased specifically for dogs.

Toothbrushes for dogs

Dog owners can experiment to find the most convenient toothbrush type for their pet among the various varieties available. You have the option to combine two or three purchases at once. Thus, some owners prefer finger toothbrushes, which are typically composed of thin rubber or silicone. Such a brush has soft bristles on one side that is placed on the finger.

Such a toothbrush can have rubber or silicone bristles, or it can have the same kind of material as human brushes. In the second scenario, the brush will be softer and won’t harm the dog’s sensitive gums, even if the owner carelessly brushes them. Large dogs can benefit from these brushes because they make it easier to reach their back teeth and open their mouth more neatly.

Dogs’ finger toothbrushes

A long-handled, typically double-sided dog toothbrush is an additional choice. To clean large molars and small front teeth, there is a larger cleaning surface on one side and a smaller one on the other. When it is difficult to reach small dogs, this brush is useful for cleaning their teeth.

Dog toothbrushes with long handles come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The most basic type is straight and made of plastic; others are curved, rubberized, and non-slip to make cleaning the mouth easier for the owner. The best shape for the dog can only be determined through practical experience with various cleaning surfaces.

The most basic long toothbrush with two sides

The owner can purchase an electric ultrasonic toothbrush for his pet if money permits. Such a toothbrush operates on the same principle as human-use electric brushes and is powered by batteries or a rechargeable battery. The teeth are cleaned by the nozzle itself, and plaque is removed by the small ultrasonic waves produced by a special generator next to the bristles. All that needs to be done is glide the nozzle over the dog’s mouth.

Remember that you should only use an electric toothbrush if your dog is compliant and has become used to brushing its teeth. The truth is that the expensive device will probably malfunction if a pet bites the nozzle of such a brush, and the dog may also receive an electric shock.

Animal ultrasonic brush

Toothpastes for dogs

There is also a great selection of zoopastes that are suitable for cleaning a dog’s teeth and oral cavity. Every wallet can choose from a variety of options that vary in terms of volume, structure, smell, and taste. Now let’s look at the most well-liked choices that vets suggest to owners the most frequently.

Table 1: Dental Zopaste Comparisons for Dogs

German-made "Emmi-Pet"

"Stop problema," a Russian product

"Cliny," a Russian product

Made in the United States, "Excel Canine Toothpaste"

"Beeztees," a Chinese product

Made in the Netherlands, "Beaphar"

"Tropiclean," a US-made product

"Globalvet," a Danish product

Sprays for the mouth

Step	Description
Choose the right time	Pick a calm moment when your dog is relaxed.
Get a dog-friendly toothbrush	Use a brush made for dogs, never a human one.
Apply dog-safe toothpaste	Always use toothpaste made for pets, not for humans.
Start gently	Begin by gently lifting your dog’s lips and touching their teeth.
Brush in small circles	Brush their teeth with gentle, circular motions.
Reward your dog	After brushing, give your dog a treat or praise.

At first, brushing your dog’s teeth might seem difficult, but with patience and practice, it will become an easy part of your routine. It is crucial for the general well-being of your pet and can avert major dental issues in the future.

Be kind, start out slowly, and only use products made for dogs. At first, your dog might be resistant, but with positive reinforcement, they will eventually adjust to the routine.

Brushing your dog on a regular basis will keep their breath fresh and their teeth clean, which will make them happy and healthy pets.

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