Brushing your dog’s teeth is an important part of maintaining a healthy mouth in your canine friend. However, many people are not sure how to begin this aspect of their dog’s home oral healthcare. Here are a few steps that you can use to introduce your dog to brushing teeth.
1. Introduce to Toothpaste
Find a flavor of an enzymatic dog and cat toothpaste that your canine friend enjoys. You can place a small amount of the toothpaste on the end of your finger and allow your dog to lick it off.
2. Apply toothpaste to Gums
After your dog has started to accept the flavor of the toothpaste, you can begin applying it to your dog’s mouth. Take a small amount of the toothpaste and gently swipe it inside your dog’s cheek and along the gumline.
3. Introduce the Brush
After a few days of your dog acclimating to the taste of the toothpaste and the interaction with their mouth, you can begin to place a small amount of the toothpaste onto the end of a toothbrush and let your dog lick it off. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush.
4. Begin Brushing
You are now ready to begin to combine the previous steps and start the actual brushing of your dog’s teeth. Place a small amount of toothpaste onto the end of the toothbrush. You may need to gently work the toothpaste into the bristles so that your dog does not immediately lick it off. Gently lift the lip and brush in a circular motion, focusing on the outside surface of the teeth. You may need to open their mouth slightly to be able to reach the teeth in the back of the mouth.
5. Brush Regularly
Now that you are confident in brushing your dog’s teeth, you should strive to make this part of your daily routine. Brushing your dog’s teeth daily or at least every other day can greatly reduce the amount of plaque and ultimately reduce the severity of dental disease your furry friend develops.
Schedule an Appointment with a Houston Dog Dentist
If you have questions about proper home care or about your dog’s oral health, please call our office and schedule an appointment today. Follow the link below to the Veterinary Oral Health Council website to find approved oral care products.
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (11/18/2024). Photo by Danilo Mirage on Pexels