Cleaning Dog’s Teeth

Tips on keeping your dog’s mouth healthy

Pointers:

  1. Clean their teeth every day for it to have an effect

  2. It’s 2 minutes for a full set of 42 teeth - just like us the teeth need a thorough clean but it can be hard for your dog to tolerate a 2 mins brush so it is best to slowly build them up to this.

  3. Maybe clean one side of the mouth in the morning and the other side at night to help them tolerate…

  4. Adding an anti-plaque powder to food may help. PlaqueOff or NutraPlaque

  5. Use a soft child’s brush as harsh bristles don’t suit dogs

  6. Raw bones can help clean teeth but it does also depend on the shape of your dog’s mouth and positioning of the teeth as to whether the bone will effectively help.

  7. Kibble does not clean teeth! This is misinformation! Kibble leaves residue which builds into plaque and tartar.

  8. Regular teeth checks with the vet and invest in a clean and polish if your dog does have plaque. Catch this early! To minimise need to remove teeth.

  9. Do visit your vet before considering a clean with a non-veterinarian as if there is dental disease a clean will not reverse this…

  10. Do your own research!

Never use human toothpaste for your dog! (From Dogs Naturally Magazine)

Many human toothpastes contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is toxic to dogs. Xylitol can cause blood sugar drops in dogs, as well as potential liver damage and even death. 

Human toothpastes also usually contain fluoride … another dangerous ingredient for your dog. Fluoride is a neurotoxicant that can affect brain and behavioural development. Ironically, it can also damage teeth, weaken bones and has even been linked to deadly osteosarcoma. 

Dog Teeth Cleaning Options At Home (https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/dog-teeth-cleaning/)

Keeping your dog’s teeth on a daily basis will minimise the need for extensive teeth cleaning. Here are a few things you can do between checkups.

  • Brush your dog’s teeth with probiotics. The probiotics will add beneficial bacteria to your dog’s mouth and fight bad bacteria from plaque that can lead to gum disease or periodontal disease.

  • Make your own dental sprays and wipes. Use MCT oil or broth and probiotics. Dip a soft cloth in both and wipe it on your dog’s teeth. Then you’ll avoid commercially made sprays and wipes that may contain chemicals and toxic ingredients you’d rather not put in your dog’s mouth.

  • Give your dog dental chew toys with lots of texture that can help scrape the plaque off your dog’s teeth so your dog can relax and do what he enjoys … chewing.

  • The closer your dog’s diet is to the diet of his wild cousins … raw meat, organs and bones … the better it will be for his teeth. Chewing, gnawing and tearing meat and meaty bones will help loosen plaque on his teeth. It’s also thought that live enzymes in raw diets help maintain oral health. Despite what the manufacturers say, kibble does not clean your dog’s teeth.

  • Daily brushing with a dog-friendly toothpaste and a soft brush, cloth or finger brush will reduce the buildup of plaque before it becomes tartar that can lead to more serious problems.