Tips For Brushing Your Dog's Teeth

Brushing your dog's teeth serves much more than just keeping your dog's breath clean, it also helps to keep your dogs health in top shape as well.

Gum disease is fairly common in most dogs, as most people don't even think about brushing their dog's teeth. If people did brush their dog's teeth, much of the periodontal problems in dogs could be prevented.

Veterinarians estimate that roughly 85 per cent of dogs that are over 5 years in age have gum problems, which develops when bacteria forms from food particles that stick to teeth. A soft lining called plaque forms along the gum line and if it is not removed by brushing will harden, and eventually inflame the gums of the dog.

This can loosen the teeth, form pockets in and around the tooth area, and even spread bacteria out into the general circulatory system of the dog, reaching the heart, liver, kidneys, and the brain.

The ideal thing is to brush your dog's teeth each day, and if that is not possible, then try to accomplish this several times per week. If your dog is one of the breeds that have a short, flat snout, such as pugs and bulldogs, more frequent brushing attempts should be made, as their teeth are crowded together and have more areas for plaque to form.

You can buy doggie toothbrushes at your favorite pet store, and if the toothbrush thing is not what your dog prefers, you can get a little plastic or rubber nipple that fits over a finger with a slightly roughened surface on the end for brushing. If all that fails, just slip a piece of gauze over your finger and use that.

Be sure and get toothpaste that is made for dogs, and don't use your toothpaste, as your dog will swallow a lot of it, possibly upsetting his stomach. Toothpaste for pets comes in different flavors, such as chicken, liver, mint and peanut butter.

You can experiment a bit in this area, or offer a different flavor every so often to keep your dog interested. Move slowly, as dogs are sensitive when you get to messing with their mouth. You can start with your finger, and see what works the best, and soon your dog will trust you, and you will be heading off more serious issues in the long run than just bad doggie breath.

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