We’ve probably all experienced it at some time or other with our dogs, when you get a whiff of their horrible breath.  Of course we’ve been told how important daily brushing is for our dogs, but honestly, how many of us actually brush our dogs’ Teeth on a regular basis?  I know I’ve tried it with my own dogs, but it is such an ordeal that both the Dog and I are upset and really their teeth aren’t any cleaner after a tooth-brushing session than they were when we began.

But you need to know that bad breath in dogs can be the harbinger of many serious health problems, and left untreated bacteria from gum disease or an infected tooth can migrate into your dog’s blood stream and organs, leading to heart disease, liver disease or kidney disease.

What can be sweeter than puppy’s breath?  I’ve loved that smell as long as I can remember.  But the sad truth is that over 85% of dogs by the time they reach 4 years of age have some form of gum disease.

What Can You Do?

Even most veterinarians will tell you that it is unrealistic to expect to brush your dog’s teeth on a daily basis, but if you can manage 3 or 4 times a week it can go a long way to improving your dog’s dental health.  If your dog is particularly hard to handle when it comes to brushing, you might consider brushing his top teeth one day and the bottom teeth the next day, so you have shorter sessions.  The earlier in your dog’s life you start this routine, the better for her oral health.

Supplies

There are many different options on the market from special doggy toothbrushes to the rubber kind with nubs that slips over your finger.  Make sure the size of the toothbrush fits well with your dog’s mouth.  Yes you can use a human toothbrush, but it is not designed with the angle of a dog toothbrush to fit more easily into the dog’s mouth.

Be sure to use a toothpaste especially formulated for dogs.  Never use human toothpaste because it contains abrasives and detergents that will upset your dog’s tummy.  Unless you have taught your dog to spit, he is going to ingest the toothpaste so make sure it is a formula that is safe for dogs.

There are also special wipes and pads that can be found at most pet stores or online.  These are good for cleaning away some food and bacteria, and can be used if you are in a hurry.  You could even use a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger to wipe the dogs gums as a substitute.

How to Begin

First of all, take it nice and slow and easy.  It may take your dog several weeks before he starts getting used to having his teeth cleaned.

Get your dog used to having his mouth handled.  You might begin by putting a dab of peanut butter or yogurt on your finger and first letting him sniff it or lick it off, then rubbing it around in his mouth.  Over time you should practice getting him used to having his mouth open and exposing more of his gums.

Your dog also needs to get used to having you handle his muzzle.  Gently place one hand under his lower jaw and the other on top, rest your hands like that for a few seconds. Gradually work your way toward manipulating his mouth by parting his lips, then gently easing his jaw open.

Once your dog is used to having his mouth manipulated in this way, gradually move onto the next step of introducing him to the toothbrush and toothpaste by first just letting him lick and sniff at it.  Then gradually begin to brush his teeth.  You may be able to only brush a few teeth at a time at first, but try to increase it over time.  Always pay special attention to the gum line and brush in a circular motion.

Don’t worry if it’s too hard to brush the insides of his teeth.  Dogs are much more susceptible to periodontal disease on the outsides of their teeth, so focus on those areas.

Always finish with a special treat or reward so your dog will associate the brushing process as a positive thing, even if it doesn’t go well at first.

Patience and persistence are key when trying to brush your dog’s teeth.

What About Chews?

There are some good dental Chews on the market and these do help when brushing is just not an option.  However, be very careful when shopping for chews for your pets.

Rawhide chews.  Yes they can help remove plaque and tartar, but be careful where you buy them from  Discount stores often carry rawhides that are made by splitting of an animal hide, usually from cattle. The top grain is tanned and made into leather products and the inner portion in its “raw” state goes to the dogs. Simply removing the hair from the cow hide involves a very toxic process called sodium sulphide liming. Standard practice is to obtain the rawhide as a byproduct from tanneries.  Then the hides are washed and bleached using a hydrogen peroxide solution.  No wonder so many dogs have a hard time digesting these chews!  Would you want to eat them?

Look for natural, organic treats such as Bully Chews or other products that are not manufactured using a bunch of chemicals.  Also beware of chews that are made in China.

A friend just posted this on Facebook.  “My son’s dog, Theodore, has been chewing on this water buffalo horn I gave him for a very long time. He’s currently hospitalized with shards of the horn that have pierced holes in his intestines allowing gases to escape into his body. It is very serious. I thought these were safe. I am so worried.”  Here is the picture.  Poor dog, imagine having these needle-like shards puncturing your dog’s intestine.  We can never be too careful!

Good Choices

One of the best I have found for my dogs is called the Benebone.  It’s not edible, but it comes in peanut butter and bacon flavors and it keeps my dogs entertained for days while giving their teeth a cleaning at the same time.

Cash also loves his Kong toy when I stuff it with tasty treats.

Cow or pig ears are also a good option, especially if you have a younger dog who can’t quite handle the hard chews just yet.  My dogs really love a good, chewy pig ear!  My dogs love these 100% Natural USA Pig Ear Dog Treats  that don’t contain any chemical ingredients and are fully digestible, unlike other highly processed rawhide products. Made in America, these chews are packed with protein and are additive-free.  They are also low in fat, at only 10%, which is especially important for my Schnauzer, Cash, who is on a low-fat diet.

Professional Cleaning

No matter how much dental care you give your pet, there will probably come a time when a professional cleaning is in order.  I will talk more about that in my next post, so please come back.

Any questions or comments?  Please let me know what you think, and what your experience has been in caring for your pet’s teeth.