March 7th, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

Brushing your dog's teeth is an important part of caring for him or her. You'll want to brush your dog's teeth at least once a week, but if you're able to brush them more frequently, that will be even better. Brushing helps prevent plaque build-up and tooth decay that can lead to serious health problems down the road--especially if left untreated. The most important step in getting started with regular brushing is making sure your pup gets used to having his mouth touched by human hands (and eventually toothbrushes). It may take some time before he starts enjoying this process as much as we do; but with patience and practice, he'll come around eventually and then regular toothbrushing can become a much nice experience for the both of you!

Brush your dog's teeth regularly.

Just like with your own teeth, it is very important to keep up with regular teeth brushing for your beloved pooch. Failing to keep up with routine teeth cleaning may lead to health problems later in their life caused by gum disease or tooth decay. If they develop these issues, it could mean that they might have to have their teeth removed which can not only be uncomfortable for them but pricey for you too! Ideally, you should brush your dog's teeth daily, and while this can take some getting used to for both of you, starting early in your pup's life to get them used to it means it doesn't become something dreaded by either party involved.

Get your dog used to having his mouth touched.

The first thing you need to do is get your dog used to having his mouth touched, you should take this slow and don't put too much pressure on your canine friend as this can just make the situation worse. Of course, the best time to start training your dog is when it is a puppy but the same methods can work with older dogs too, they just may require a little more patience. Start small by opening its mouth for small periods of time before making it longer, and eventually begin rubbing some diluted toothpaste on its teeth so it can slowly get used to it remember to praise and pet your pup when they behave calmly during this, eventually they will become more comfortable with the process and associate praise with the action. If you noticed your pup getting excited or agitated, stop touching his mouth until the next day when you try again. Pushing your dog when they are feeling stressed is not beneficial to you or them and remember not to scold them if they get agitated, it is always more effective to award good behaviour.

Make brushing fun for both of you.

Once you get your pooch used to their mouth being touched and you begin properly brushing their teeth, try to make it something fun. Start out by holding their favourite treat in front of their nose and once the brushing is complete let them eat it - that way they will associate brushing their teeth with something good! It's also a good idea to let your pups sniff their new toothbrush and maybe even let them give it a little chew that way they can quickly learn it's nothing to be scared of. Finally try finding toothpaste in a flavour your dog will love, a tasty chicken or beef paste will make your dog much happier than something minty!

While brushing, look for any signs of bleeding or discomfort in your pup's mouth

If you notice any bleeding during or after the brushing process, do not panic! While it may be alarming at first glance, this is actually a good thing because it means that plaque has been dislodged from your dog's teeth and removed from them (the same way it would be if they went to the dentist). If there is no pain or swelling after 15 minutes of no further bleeding then it should heal completely within 24 hours without any further action needed on your part. However if the bleeding persists or you notice any inflammation or discomfort in your dog's mouth, contact your vet in order to get them checked out as it may be due to an infection or other underlying health issue.

Choosing the right toothbrush and toothpaste

There are all kinds of toothbrushes for dogs out there. Dog toothbrushes come in rubber, nylon or plastic and can be purchased online or at pet stores. You can choose from different sizes and shapes, the size you need will usually depend on the type of dog and their jaw size, smaller dogs will only need small toothbrushes whereas larger dogs may require something larger. A popular choice for most owners are finger brushes, these slip over your finger and give much better control enabling them to better clean those hard-to-reach teeth such as molars, which tend to build up plaque more quickly than other teeth.

While it may seem obvious, when it comes to brushing your dog's teeth they need their own special toothpaste as ingredients in our toothpaste are potentially toxic and can cause illness. Instead, you will need to get an Enzymatic Dog Toothpaste, these usually come in lots of tasty flavours your dog will love, and thanks to their special formula they will breakdown plaque and tartar as well as get rid of bad breath, it's a good idea to looking into toothpaste that do not foam either, that way you do not need to worry about rinsing your pup's mouth or them becoming irritated by the foam.

For those dogs that really fight against the toothbrush, there are also some toothpaste options available that work as a gel that you can simply rub on their teeth and gums using your fingers and it will do the work without the need to burhs, while these aren't quite as effective they are a fantastic solution for those stubborn dogs and are much better than nothing at all.

You can do it!

If you're worried about how to brush your dog's teeth, we hope this blog has given you some ideas and confidence. Remember that dogs are just like us: they have mouths full of bacteria that can cause all kinds of problems if left unchecked. We know it can be hard to get started on a new habit like brushing your teeth, but don't give up! With patience and dedication on both sides--your dog will love it too--you'll soon be on your way towards healthier mouths for everyone involved.