85% of dogs over the age of three have tartar. Regularly brushing your dog's teeth is therefore essential for their well-being. Brushing your dog's teeth daily is very important for fighting tartar, periodontal disease, and bad breath.
This will be all the easier if the animal has been accustomed to it from a young age. But other complementary methods also allow you to preserve your companion's teeth and thus take care of their oral health.
Regular visits to your veterinarian
There are veterinarians who specialize in dentistry. This is particularly true for dogs that practice biting sports when they have a broken or damaged tooth.
Dental care has become just as important to owners, and according to the recommendations of animal health professionals, as any other care or maintenance. Regular brushing can remove an average of 50% of dental plaque, which is far from negligible.
Brushing your dog's teeth
It's true that brushing teeth isn't exactly fun. Some dogs will be cooperative, others less so... and still others not at all!
The sooner the animal is accustomed to being handled, without getting upset or insisting too much at the beginning, the easier this maintenance will be later on. The veterinarian will be able to offer you accessories and products specially designed for animals. Obviously, a dog will not be able to rinse its mouth and spit it out! That is why you must buy him food-grade toothpaste that he can swallow and that will be safe for his health!
Toothpastes with certain flavors (chicken, beef, etc.) are available, making brushing easier. Dog toothpastes, designed to remove tartar and prevent plaque buildup, have both a mechanical and antiseptic effect during brushing.
How to properly brush your dog's teeth?
Obviously, don't fake it (once the animal lets you). Don't just rub gently (but use circular motions) and just the front teeth or those on the side of the jaw. That would be pointless.
Brushing your pet's teeth is not only good for their oral hygiene, it's also an important part of maintaining their dental health. Not only does it help prevent tartar buildup and gum disease, but it also prevents them from chewing on objects that could cause injury to their mouth and teeth.
Brush your pet's teeth once a day for at least 30 seconds. Be sure to use dog toothpaste specifically formulated for pets, as regular toothpaste can be harmful if swallowed. Your veterinarian can offer beef and even chicken-flavored toothpastes to help get your dog used to this daily routine.
Use a soft bristle toothbrush to avoid any discomfort when brushing your pet's teeth, if you have a large dog we recommend using a 3-headed toothbrush which will allow you to thoroughly brush your dog's canines. On the other hand, if your pet is not used to having its teeth brushed, a finger toothbrush is ideal, as it will not frighten it.
What about food?
Some specially formulated kibbles are designed to combat tartar, as are so-called "premium" kibbles, due to their composition and consistency.
The shape of some kibbles is designed to encourage the animal to crunch and chew, rather than swallowing whole! This has a kind of abrasive effect on the teeth.
Commercial treats can also be effective. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations on brands.
What are the alternatives to brushing?
Of course, we don't always have time to brush our favorite pet's teeth. There are complementary products available to help reduce brushing frequency while still maintaining dental health.
With a dental hygiene toy , your dog can have fun chewing on it and brush his teeth on his own, because it has been designed to take care of his teeth and gums.
A reservoir is available to hold food-grade toothpaste, which he can easily pick up and chew. Its natural rubber tips are designed to remove tartar and are very durable.
With this toy, your pet's dental health will be much better and you'll finally be done with bad breath. But keep in mind that manual brushing is still necessary at least once a month!
Please feel free to leave a comment below this article if you have any suggestions or questions. We would love to answer them and help you with your relationship with your pet.
