The finest toothbrush for cleaning behind the gum line is one with soft bristles. As long as the bristles won’t be too harsh on your dog’s gums, most experts concur that using a human toothbrush for dogs is acceptable.
Each dog should have their own toothbrush if you have more than one. The likelihood of an infection and bacteria spreading between their lips increases when they share a toothbrush.
Do dogs require a unique toothbrush?
Periodontal disease, an inflammation or infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth, affects more than two thirds of dogs older than three. Plaque-induced gingivitis, which is the first stage of periodontal disease, frequently advances to affect the bony tooth sockets. Periodontal disease, if left untreated, can result in painful tooth loss.
When should I brush my dog’s teeth?
It is preferable to clean your dog’s teeth at least twice a day, just like you do. Many dogs will start to anticipate and enjoy brushing once it becomes a part of their regular routine. The minimum recommended amount of brushing to help prevent tartar buildup and eliminate plaque is three times per week.
It’s ideal to start training your dog to tolerate dental brushing when he’s still a puppy.
When your dog is still a puppy, it’s ideal to train him to accept getting his teeth brushed. Even while the training process could take a little longer if your dog is older, it is still well worth the time and effort.
What steps do I need to follow to teach my dog to accept tooth brushing?
Making tooth brushing enjoyable for both of you is essential if you want to be successful. Praise your dog during the entire process and offer assurance at each stage to make it a happy experience. Follow these instructions for the best outcomes:
- Pick a peaceful time and location to start.
- Hold your dog firmly in your lap with his head turned away from you if he is tiny enough. In order to comfortably handle your dog’s jaws and teeth, you should sit on a chair and have your dog sit next to you.
- Starting at the point where the gum meets the tooth surface, gently rub your finger or a soft cloth over the outer surfaces of your dog’s teeth in a back-and-forth motion. To prevent unintentionally biting yourself, take care to only touch the exterior surfaces of the teeth. If your pet is hesitant or anxious about the procedure, it is best to only massage the cloth along a few teeth during the first few lessons rather than the entire mouth.
- Allow your dog to taste some pet toothpaste off your finger once he is comfortable with you brushing his teeth. Use only dental floss; human toothpaste is not intended to be swallowed.
- Apply a small bit of pet toothpaste to the towel and wipe it over the teeth once your dog has grown accustomed to the flavor.
- Use a toothbrush once your dog is fully accustomed to you wiping his teeth with a cloth (see below).
What type of toothbrush should I use?
There are commercial toothbrushes on the market made expressly for use on dogs. These consist of:
- angled-handled brushes,
- brushes with a variety of heads (so that you can simultaneously brush the inside, outside, and top surfaces of the tooth),
- little brushes that are relaxed to hold, and
- brushes for the fingers (designed to fit over the tip of your finger).
Some canines can tolerate the use of an extremely soft toothbrush made for human infants.
Your dog’s size and your personal dexterity both have an impact on the toothbrush you choose. When first starting to brush their dog’s teeth, many pet owners find it easier to use a finger brush. If you are unsure which brush to use, see your veterinarian.
No matter what kind of toothbrush you use, it’s crucial to be careful and move slowly because it’s simple to unintentionally touch your gums with the toothbrush’s tip, which might irritate them.
Is it okay to use human toothpaste?
No. Ingredients in human toothpaste should not be consumed. If consumed, it may result in digestive problems or an upset stomach. Some human toothpastes have high sodium content that could harm your pet, while others might have xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs.
My friend recommended that I use baking soda. Is this okay?
No. Due to its strong alkaline composition, baking soda can disturb the digestive system’s acid balance if it is consumed. Additionally, your dog might not cooperate when you try to brush his teeth because baking soda doesn’t taste pleasant.
Why is pet toothpaste recommended?
Dogs enjoy the flavors of poultry, beef, malt, and mint in pet toothpaste, which is offered in a variety of varieties. Your dog is more likely to appreciate the entire experience if you use a tasty product.
Exactly how should I brush my dog’s teeth?
Brush the toothbrush with a little toothpaste. Lift the lips on one side of your dog’s mouth gently. You can either achieve this by pushing up on the lip with your free hand’s index finger (as indicated in the illustration) or by lifting your dog’s lips by placing your free hand over his head and your thumb and index finger on either side of his upper jaw.
You will need to slightly open your dog’s mouth in order to brush the lower teeth. You can do this by grasping your dog’s top jaw with your thumb and index finger while gently turning your dog’s head backward.
Start by focusing on brushing the canine teeth and the big cheek teeth since these are the teeth where plaque and tartar buildup happens the fastest. Work your way up to brushing every tooth (this will probably take several days or weeks).
As long as your dog is being helpful, you shouldn’t bother about brushing the inside or tips of their teeth. The outer surfaces of the teeth are where periodontal disease most frequently manifests itself, so you should concentrate your efforts there. Additionally, the inner surfaces of the dog’s teeth don’t need to be brushed as often because the dog’s tongue tends to remove a lot of plaque from them.
Is there anything else I should know?
Yes. If at all possible, wear gloves when brushing your dog’s teeth because a dog’s mouth is filled with a lot of bacteria. If this makes it difficult for you to adequately brush his teeth, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after you’re done. Before storing the toothbrush, make sure to properly rinse it. If you have multiple dogs, use a different toothbrush for each of them and replace the toothbrush every three months.
Can dogs use a finger toothbrush?
For small dogs, finger brushes and tiny toothbrushes with a soft head, similar to those designed for kids, work great. Finding a comfortable toothbrush is crucial to ensuring that small breeds are receiving a comprehensive at-home dental cleaning because they are more likely to develop severe tartar buildup and gum disease.
Can I give my dog a baby toothbrush?
Dog teeth can develop issues including dental decay, gum disease, plaque buildup, and foul breath if they aren’t cleaned regularly. You might eventually have to put up with foul breath or find yourself at the vet getting the teeth pulled.
You regularly brush your dog’s teeth to avoid this. Since you shouldn’t use just any toothbrush, you must purchase a dog toothbrush. And a dog toothbrush does exist.
Here are four things you should know about dog toothbrushes to aid you. You can follow these to help you choose the best one for your pet.
‘Soft Bristles’
The bristles of a dog toothbrush are soft and mild to protect the gums while cleaning. They are powerful enough, though, to clear away material from in between the teeth.
A canine toothbrush should have softer bristles than a baby toothbrush in comparison to a human toothbrush. Because a human toothbrush contains coarser bristles that could harm your dog’s mouth and gums, it is not recommended to use one on them.
Made with pet-safe components
The bristles on the top dog toothbrushes are produced from materials that are FDA-approved, pet-safe, and food-grade.
Additionally, the handles are manufactured from strong, secure materials that won’t shatter easily. Can you picture trying to brush your pet’s teeth and the handle snaps? The results can be fatal.
Materials that are pet safe and long-lasting guarantee that the dog won’t be exposed to hazardous substances while having its teeth cleaned.
Possess a Unique Angle
Dog toothbrushes typically have tilted heads to help clean the back surfaces of the teeth and reach all of the teeth. By doing so, you may easily reach and remove tough plaque and tartar on the furthest teeth as well as in between teeth.
In order to reach the rear of the teeth, the neck is also angled. It also makes cleaning the canine teeth simple because they are longer and have distinct forms than human teeth.
lengthy handle
The handle of a dog toothbrush is very lengthy. In this method, you can reach deep within the dog’s mouth and clean all of the teeth all the way to the back of the mouth. Without reaching into the dog’s mouth, the long handle conveniently cleans the dog’s teeth.
When cleaning the dog’s teeth, some brushes include rough handles, even if it’s just on one side.
It also comes in various sizes. A smaller toothbrush is required for your tiny dog, whereas a larger one is required for your bulldog. As a result, there are various sizes and styles of dog toothbrushes available.
Some dog toothbrushes have two heads, one with a larger head and the other with a smaller head. Depending on the size of your dog, you can choose which end to utilize.
The bristles on a human toothbrush are stiffer and can harm your dog’s gums, so it would be better to avoid using one on them. Additionally, because of its wider head angle, it is unable to efficiently clean the dog’s back teeth.
Can you use a human toothbrush and toothpaste to brush a dog’s teeth?
Even though periodontal disease cannot be reversed, it is preventable in dogs with regular dental care. Here are three things you can do to maintain the health of your dog’s mouth.
Brush Your Dog’s Teeth
If your dog is anything like mine, brushing his teeth won’t be his favorite activity either, but it’s necessary to do so in order to remove food debris and plaque. You may brush like a pro by following the instructions in our infographic and using these dog teeth cleaning suggestions.
Dog Teeth Cleaning Tips:
- Use a dog toothbrush instead of a toothbrush made for adults because they are smaller and softer. Another option is a toothbrush that you wear over your finger.
- Never use human toothpaste as dogs have a tendency to ingest toothpaste as you brush and can be harmed by substances like fluoride and xylitol. Choose toothpaste that is suitable for dogs and that has tasty canine scents like chicken.
- As much as possible, you should brush your dog’s teeth daily or at least a few times per week. You can spend time with your dog while brushing your teeth.
- To clean the gum line area, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle and move it in little circular motions.
- Work on one area of the mouth at a time, taking your time.
Your dog might even learn to appreciate the process with time and patience. Ask your vet for tips on how to brush a dog’s teeth if you’re having trouble completing the task.
Do a Weekly Home Check
At least once each week, give your dog’s teeth and gums a close inspection. Find a calm moment for your dog, perhaps after a long walk, and turn your dog toward you. Lift their lips slightly so you can view their teeth and gums. Contact your veterinarian if you see any indications of periodontal disease or other potential issues, such as lumps on the gums or yellowing of the gums or teeth.
Schedule an Annual Cleaning
Even if you take excellent care of your dog’s teeth at home, you should schedule annual appointments for your veterinarian to clean your dog’s teeth. Your vet is able to:
- Plaque that cannot be safely brushed off can be removed with a scraper.
- Examine the teeth and gums in great detail, paying particular attention to the areas below the gum line.
- Polish the teeth to get rid of any tiny scratches.
It’s crucial to establish a relationship with a veterinarian before bringing your dog in for a dental cleaning. Find out what to anticipate if this is your pet’s first visit to the vet.
Anesthesia for Dental Cleaning
Because dogs are unable to comprehend the necessity of sitting still and remaining quiet throughout a dental procedure as people do, the American Veterinary Dental College advises anaesthetic for professional dog teeth cleaning. Even though anesthesia is never without danger, for most dogs, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
Your dog will suffer less tension and discomfort thanks to anesthesia, which may also lessen the pain. Additionally, it enables the vet to thoroughly check each tooth in your dog’s mouth and clean underneath the gum line.
Chew Toys for Dog Dental Care
Provide safe chew toys and chew bones for your dog to nibble on. They can give your dog a suitable outlet to satiate the urge to chew (which could save you a few pairs of shoes!) and support healthy teeth and gums.
Any item you allow your dog to chew on should be secure and not too tough. Strong items have the potential to shatter or loosen teeth as well as harm the soft tissues of the mouth.
Get a free estimate now if you’re interested in dog insurance coverage that can cover fractures and other dental problems. Check also our other dog safety Infographic, which describes the risks that chocolate poses to dogs.
This article’s information is provided for educational and informational reasons only; it is not intended to be a replacement for your veterinarian’s advice.
