Brushing your dog’s teeth is one of the things that many dog owners overlook when it comes to your dog’s health and I must say I am just as guilty of this.  I just don’t seem to get around to this task as often as it should be done.

So why should we brush our canine friend’s teeth?

As you may have suspected, dog health issues can include tooth decay and gum diseases.  One of the signs that your dog may have some sort of periodontal diseases is bad breath.  Studies have shown that 98% of dog’s with doggie breath have some sort of periodontal disease.
Other signs of mouth problems such as gingivitis is reddening of the gums.  Usual causes of periodontal disease are tartar buildup and gum infections.  The dog’s bad breath is caused by bacteria which produces hydrogen sulfide.  Further evidence can be seen in the actual mouth of the dog.  On examination you will notice a yellow and brown-coloured build-up of tartar and possibly inflamed gums.

If not treated pockets of pus can form along the gum line, causing the teeth to separate from the gums.
As you may have guessed this will allow more food and bacteria to accumulate causing periodontal disease.  Eventually the tissue that supports your dog’s teeth will be destroyed.

Hard water may also cause tartar deposits.  Also a dog who eats mostly soft food is more likely to develop problems with their teeth.

So you can see that our next step to improving your dog’s health is to actually brush your dog’s teeth.  Toothbrushes and toothpaste for dogs can be purchased at your veterinarian or your local pet store.  You can get what looks like a regular toothbrush or a finger brush.  The finger brush is made out of some type of soft plastic and fits over your finger.  This may be easier to start with rather than trying to put some foreign object in your dog’s mouth.  The toothpaste comes in yummy flavours that even the fussiest dogs usually like.

Now that you have all the right tools for the job so to speak, the hardest part is to actually brush your dog’s teeth.  By hard, I mean actually doing it, and doing it on a regular routine.  Keep in mind you are doing this for your dog’s health.

It’s a good idea to start brushing when they are puppies.  Start by dabbing some toothpaste on your finger and gently rubbing it on your dog’s teeth, lips and gums.  Let them get use to the toothpaste and something touching them around the gums etc.  Introduce the toothbrush next, either the brush or the finger brush.  Take your time.  Be slow and calm.  Do this for about 5 minutes a day until your dog gets used to it.  That’s it! Now you can brush your dog’s teeth and gums on a regular basis.  Also massaging the gums will provide for good circulation  within his gums which can only help in maintaining your dog’s health.

Many veterinarians suggest brushing once a day.  Brushing your dog’s teeth is a hard routine to get into but one that may save you an expensive trip to the vets’ down the road.

If your dog does develop some type of problem with their teeth and do need them cleaned, remember your vet will do this procedure under general anesthesia.  While under anesthesia your vet will most likely take x-rays to see if there are any cracked or diseased teeth.  When actually cleaning the teeth the vet will scale the teeth above and below the gum line to remove all the tartar.  I’ve had something like this done where the dentist has cut my gums and then gone underneath to clean out the tartar.  Although everything is frozen it
is unpleasant and it takes a good week to recoup.  How can you explain that one to your dog!

Other ways to help your dog maintain healthy teeth is to feed a higher percentage of kibble than canned soft food.  Also make sure they have a good chew toy.  Some rawhide chews are specially formulated for dental care.  Rawhide chews have a natural abrasion which will help keep your dog’s teeth healthy.  When giving them a rawhide though keep an eye on them.  As they get soft some dogs will try to swallow them and they could possibly get caught in their throat.

Remember the hardest part is starting.  So if you don’t have the tools for the job go and get them and start brushing your dog’s teeth today!  If you already have the tools but haven’t been using them, then get them out, dust them off and start your dog’s brushing routine today!  It is just one small thing that can help maintain your dog’s health.

Happy brushing!

Maureen Brownell