Dental Information

What You Will Need:

Doggie toothpaste

Toothbrush or washcloth or gauze to wrap around your finger

The Cleaning Process:

Gather all of your supplies and prep as much as possible prior to starting. Choose whether you will be cleaning with a toothbrush, washcloth or gauze wrapped around your finger and apply a small amount of the doggie toothpaste to the tip.

It is best to complete this cleaning when your dog is relaxed. If your dog is ready to play, it may be difficult to get him to sit still while you clean.

Find a position that allows you to easily access your dog's mouth/teeth.

Gently lift the upper lip on one side and begin brushing in a circular motion. Refresh with more toothpaste as needed.

As you are brushing and cleaning, ensure to clean the gum line (where the teeth meet the gums) because this is where many problems start.

Work your way around the mouth brushing each tooth. Use care to thoroughly clean the back teeth as this is where many problems can occur as well.

When all of the top teeth are cleaned, continue with the same procedure to clean the bottom teeth.

Complete this cleaning twice a week.

Additional Tips and Advice

Did you know that your pet's "dog breath" does not always have to be bad. In fact, if your dog has bad breath, it can be a sign of a problem with their teeth.

If your dog will not tolerate the toothbrush, try a nubby-surfaced rubber cap. These are like rubber toothbrushes that you place on the top of your finger and provide a gentler cleaning than bristled brushes. It also gives you a good feel of where you're brushing since it's right on your fingertip.

Only use dental products designed specifically for dogs. Do not use human toothpaste for your dog as it is not designed to be swallowed and dogs cannot spit. Anything that you use to clean their teeth will be swallowed, so ensure it's made for them.

Feed your dog hard dog biscuits or hard dog food each day and a hard bone (ex bone marrow) or toy to chew on to keep their teeth strong.

It may be helpful to have another person around to help you when you are cleaning your dog's teeth for the first few times, even if it's just to help keep your dog calm during the process.