Canine Teeth – How to Keep Them Clean
Dog teeth cleaning is something which should become a daily part of your routine of caring for your pet. Just like us, dogs can develop tooth disease; making it very important to make sure that you care for your pet’s health by keeping their teeth clean and tartar free.
Dental Health and Hygiene in Dogs
Dogs can be subject to the same diseases of the mouth, gums and teeth as can their owners. Since you dog has no way of telling you that is has a toothache, dog owners must take care to look after the dental health of their dog. An untreated tooth infection can lead to very serious problems with your pets’ vital organs.
The diet your dog eats makes a big difference to the health of their teeth. Fortified dog food and treats which are designed to maintain dental health are one good way to protect your pets’ health. You can have your dogs’ teeth professionally cleaned by your vet, but this is not needed except in extreme cases; your dog has to be anesthetized and can be expensive and risky for your pet.
Cleaning Your Dog’s Teeth
Even if your dog is no longer a puppy you can train them to accept having their teeth brushed with some patience and perseverance. Both dogs and puppies alike can be acclimated to having the toothbrush in their mouths simply by starting out using your finger and a dab of peanut butter.
As your pet licks your finger and the peanut butter, begin rubbing the teeth and gums while offering plenty of praise. After a day or so of this, or as soon as your dog begins accepting this new process, use a piece of gauze wrapped around your finger and do the same thing as above. Rub the gauze around the teeth and gums using a circular motion as you would with the toothbrush. Once they are used to this, it’s time to introduce them to the real thing.
Don’t use toothpaste made for people – this will give your dog an upset stomach. Use dog toothpaste instead; these are designed to be appealing to dogs. Let your dog lick some off of the brush, then add more and start brushing.
Lift your dogs’ gums so that you can reach their teeth, especially the canines. Hold the brush at a 45 degree angle for the best result. This lets you clean the gums and teeth at the same time. Brush using a circular motion and don’t forget your dogs’ back teeth, which are more susceptible to disease and decay.
Make dog teeth cleaning a happy occasion for your dog. Keep low key to prevent your dog from getting too excited to hold still. You should only need abut a minute to get your dogs’ teeth clean and make sure that they stay healthy and happy.
Canine teeth cleaning is imperative to dog health, and dog teeth cleaning can be done in a number of ways. So keep your dog’s teeth clean by brushing your dog’s teeth, with healthy food, and by adding a dog teeth cleaning agent to your dog’s drinking water. All can play a part in keeping your dog’s teeth healthy.
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