How To Brush Your Dogs Teeth

Posted by Charla Dawson Aug 2, 2006

Brushing your dogs teeth is the best way to keep them clean. If you decide to start brushing your dogs teeth, first look at them - if the teeth are covered in a brown calculus then brushing is not going to do any good, your dog needs a teeth cleaning done by a veterinarian. If your dogs teeth are clean or have a very small amount of tartar then brushing the teeth will help keep tartar from building up any further.

Start by using your finger or wash cloth and a small amount of toothpaste. Use toothpaste for dogs and cats, it is made so that it is safe if swallowed and it is flavored for an animals liking. If your dog is tolerating the wash cloth then move up to a finger brush (a soft plastic, bristled brush that fits over the index finger) and then a regular toothbrush. Even if you can only get your dog to allow a finger brush or wash cloth you are still helping to keep the tartar from building up. Try to build up to brushing each side for about 30 seconds, go slow and end each session on a happy note, before your dog starts to struggle. Do not accidently teach your dog that if it struggles or puts up a fight, you'll stop. This will make teeth brushing harder not easier.

You only need to brush the outside of the teeth, the inside part of a dogs teeth does not have trouble with plague and tartar build up and most dogs do not tolerate having the inside brushed. Try to brush at least every three days if you want to make a difference in your dogs mouth. If your dog will not tolerate the toothbrush then try dental chews and rinses to help with tartar and fresh breath.