Brush My Dog's WHAT?
By: JAN BELLOWS D.V.M
What would happen if you stopped brushing your own teeth? Even if you
only ate hard food as most dogs do, there still would be problems. You
should be brushing your dog's teeth at least twice weekly, daily if you
can manage it. It's not as difficult as you might imagine.
By: JAN BELLOWS D.V.M
What would happen if you stopped brushing your own teeth? Even if you
only ate hard food as most dogs do, there still would be problems. You
should be brushing your dog's teeth at least twice weekly, daily if you
can manage it. It's not as difficult as you might imagine.
Jan Bellows D.V.M.
Jan Bellows, DVM Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College |
What are the benefits? Brushing removes the daily accumulation of plaque from the teeth. Even though dogs do not commonly get
cavities, they do suffer from periodontal disease. If untreated the gum disease can lead to pain and loss of teeth. How to brush teeth?
Step one is to pick an appropriate pet toothbrush. Save yourself time by not buying a child's toothbrush which is usually too hard for
dogs. The ideal dog toothbrush will have a long handle, an angled head to better fit the mouth and extra soft bristles. Another option is
the finger toothbrush that fits over the tip of your finger.
Step two is to select an appropriate toothpaste. The best pet toothpastes contain enzymes that help control plaque. Try to avoid
toothpastes with baking soda, detergents, or salt sometimes found in human pastes. Fluoride may be incorporated to help control
bacteria. Rather than placing the paste on top of the brush try to place it between the bristles. This allows the paste to spend the most
time next to the teeth.
Step three is to get the brush with paste into your dog's mouth and all the teeth brushed. Most pets accept brushing if they are
approached in a gentle manner. If you can start when they are young, it's quite easy, but even older pets will accept the process.
Start slowly, you can use a washcloth or piece of gauze to wipe the teeth, front and back in the same manner you will eventually be
using the toothbrush. Do this twice daily for about two weeks and your dog or cat should be familiar with the approach. Then take the
pet toothbrush, soak it in warm water and start brushing daily for several days. When your pet accepts this brushing, add the
toothpaste.
The toothbrush bristles should be placed at the gum margin where the teeth and gums meet at a 45 degree angle. The movement
should be in an oval pattern. Be sure to gently force the bristle ends into the area around the base of the tooth as well as into the
space between the teeth. Ten short back-and-forth motions should be completed, then the brush should be moved to a new location.
Cover three to four teeth at a time. Most attention should concentrated on the outside of the upper teeth.
Jan Bellows DVM
cavities, they do suffer from periodontal disease. If untreated the gum disease can lead to pain and loss of teeth. How to brush teeth?
Step one is to pick an appropriate pet toothbrush. Save yourself time by not buying a child's toothbrush which is usually too hard for
dogs. The ideal dog toothbrush will have a long handle, an angled head to better fit the mouth and extra soft bristles. Another option is
the finger toothbrush that fits over the tip of your finger.
Step two is to select an appropriate toothpaste. The best pet toothpastes contain enzymes that help control plaque. Try to avoid
toothpastes with baking soda, detergents, or salt sometimes found in human pastes. Fluoride may be incorporated to help control
bacteria. Rather than placing the paste on top of the brush try to place it between the bristles. This allows the paste to spend the most
time next to the teeth.
Step three is to get the brush with paste into your dog's mouth and all the teeth brushed. Most pets accept brushing if they are
approached in a gentle manner. If you can start when they are young, it's quite easy, but even older pets will accept the process.
Start slowly, you can use a washcloth or piece of gauze to wipe the teeth, front and back in the same manner you will eventually be
using the toothbrush. Do this twice daily for about two weeks and your dog or cat should be familiar with the approach. Then take the
pet toothbrush, soak it in warm water and start brushing daily for several days. When your pet accepts this brushing, add the
toothpaste.
The toothbrush bristles should be placed at the gum margin where the teeth and gums meet at a 45 degree angle. The movement
should be in an oval pattern. Be sure to gently force the bristle ends into the area around the base of the tooth as well as into the
space between the teeth. Ten short back-and-forth motions should be completed, then the brush should be moved to a new location.
Cover three to four teeth at a time. Most attention should concentrated on the outside of the upper teeth.
Jan Bellows DVM
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