Should I Brush My Dog’s Teeth?

The simple answer is yes.

It is estimated that over 2/3 of dogs over the age of three have periodontal disease, an inflammation of tissues surrounding the teeth. This disease starts as gingivitis caused by plaque, and progresses to involve the bony tooth sockets. If this goes untreated it can lead to painful tooth loss.

It is ideal to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a day, however 3 times a week is the minimum recommendation. It’s best to teach your dog while they’re still young, it’s worth the effort. Once brushing becomes apart of their routine they will begin to enjoy it.

How to Teach Dog to Accept Tooth Brushing

To make brushing a successful activity, you must make the experience positive for both parties involved. Make sure to praise your pup throughout the procedure. For best results, follow these steps:

• Choose a quiet time and place.
• If your dog is small, hold them securely in your lap with their head facing away from you. If they’re large, sit in a chair with your dog beside you.
• Rub your finger or a cloth over the outer surfaces of your dog’s teeth, focusing on where the gum touches the tooth surface. Be careful to stay on the outside surfaces of the teeth to avoid being bitten accidentally.
• Once your dog gets comfortable with their teeth being rubbed, let them taste some of the pet toothpaste from your finger.
• Once your pup has accepted the taste of the toothpaste, apply a small amount to the cloth and  rub it over their teeth.
• Once your dog has adjusted to the cloth, you can start using a toothbrush.

Best Toothbrushes for Dogs

There are toothbrushes specifically designed for use in dogs. The brush you choose depends on the size of your dog and your dexterity. These brushes include:

• Brushes with angles handles
• Brushes with multiple heads
• Small brushes that fit comfortably in your hand
• Finger toothbrushes – designed to fit over the tip of your finger

How to Brush Your Dogs Teeth

The best way to brush is to apply some toothpaste on the brush, and gently raise your dog’s lip on one side – you can do this with your free hand. To brush the lower teeth, you need to open their mouth a bit and tilt their head back.

When starting to brush, concentrate on brushing the large cheek teeth and canine teeth. Then gradually work up to brushing all the teeth – this can take several days or weeks. Don’t worry about brushing the tips or insides of teeth unless your dog is cooperative.

You only need to brush your dog’s teeth for 30 seconds on each side.

Make sure you’re careful when brushing your dog’s teeth. Their mouth contains a lot of bacteria. If possible, wear gloves while brushing your dog’s teeth. However if this limits your ability to effectively brush their teeth, be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after you’re finished. Rinse the toothbrush thoroughly before putting it away as well. Make sure to replace their toothbrush every 3 months and have a different toothbrush for each of your dogs.