How to Brush а Dog's Teeth

Brushing a dog's teeth! Undoubtedly you will have heard from other dog owners how difficult and awkward it can be. However challenging it is, you will need to thoroughly clean your dog's teeth to avoid him developing various dental problems later in its life. Follow the following instructions and clean your dog's teeth at least once a week.

What items are required for Brushing Your Dog's Teeth?

For cleaning your dog's teeth, you need the following items that are designed especially for use when cleaning a dog's teeth.

• First, you will need a soft-bristled brush with which you can clean your dog's teeth thoroughly. A soft-bristled brush ensures a complete and proper brushing of you dog's teeth. Choose one that will fit your finger. It is actually much easier to make use of this kind of toothbrush compared to one having a handle. 

• Secondly, a canine toothpaste is needed. A toothpaste for use by humans, or some other teeth cleaning substances like baking soda, etc is not suitable, as they can cause various problems like disturbing the dog's digestive system and causing a stomach upset. To be sure on what to use, you should consult a veterinarian to be told which toothpaste will definitely be best to use on your dog's teeth. A typical canine toothpaste contains chlorhexidine, zinc gluconate, or hexametaphosphate. If your dog is affected by any kind of periodontal disease, the veterinarian may prescribe it a toothpaste containing fluoride. Flavored toothpastes containing all the necessary ingredients can be purchased from most pet stores and your four-legged friend will most likely find such a toothpaste more acceptable.

How to Brush Your Dog's Teeth

Before brushing your pet dog's teeth, take him to a veterinarian who will examine your dog's teeth to check for any sort of dental problems, and advise on the best way to clean your dog’s teeth. If you decide that your dog’s teeth and gums are clear of any dental problems you can prepare to clean its teeth. However if your dog has dental issues cleaning its teeth may cause your dog a lot of pain and the resultant discomfort created by brushing its teeth may cause the dog to become aggressive. 

Place your dog on a comfortable firm surface. Hold the soft-bristled finger brush and open his mouth. So you can get to this step with the least amount of difficulty, it is best to get your dog used to you looking into its mouth over a period of a few weeks. It would be best therefore, to work on this stage to get your dog accustomed to you holding its head and looking into its mouth. Take your time, and don't rush this stage and after a short time you should find that your dog will become used to you looking into its mouth. 

Now, if all is progressing smoothly, put some toothpaste on the brush and then place it inside his mouth. Start brushing it’s teeth from the outside using a gentle and massaging motion to brush the teeth. If he allows, go a bit further in and clean his teeth. If he doesn’t allow you to go further into its mouth, don't despair as you have already done a lot to help prevent periodontal problems by just brushing the teeth on the outside. 

When you have finished, reward your dog with a tartar controlled treat or another type of treat that you dog enjoys a lot. By doing this, it will make the process of brushing your dog's teeth end on a happy note and your dog hopefully will look forward to having its teeth brushed again in the future.

A tip when brushing your dog's teeth is not to consider cleaning it's teeth as a laborious task but look upon it as an event whereby you and your dog can bond. This will not only make this task easier and simple but it can be made to be fun as well. By following the guide notes above, you can keep your dog's teeth clean and shining and possibly avoid some expensive veterinarian bills to rectify dental problems later in your dog’s life.