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3 Tips for Keeping Dog Teeth Clean

Dog-Teeth-Cleaning-Tips

For the most part, it’s pretty easy to care for your dental health. We all know we need to brush our teeth often, floss every day, and make sure to visit the dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. Your dog’s teeth, on the other hand, can be harder to care for. While your pet probably gets his or her teeth checked at regular veterinary appointments, it’s difficult to keep up with their teeth cleaning at home. The good news is, there are plenty of products on the market that can help you keep your dog’s teeth clean and in good health in between vet visits. If you want to learn more about caring for your dog’s teeth, keep reading!

Dog Teeth Cleaning at Home

While most dog owners are on top of pet grooming (brushing, nail trimming, and preventing flea and tick bites), it’s common for dog teeth cleaning to get overlooked. For starters, if you’ve ever tried brushing your pet’s teeth you know how difficult it can be. On top of that, sometimes it can be tough to find a good dog toothbrush or toothpaste. If you want to take better care of your dog’s teeth, here are a few tips:

  • Make brushing their teeth part of your routine. According to the American Kennel Club, brushing your dog’s teeth can help clear away plaque that can lead to rotten teeth or gum problems as your pet ages. While it might seem overwhelming to start brushing your dog’s teeth, a good canine toothbrush and canine toothpaste can make the process manageable. Choose a time when your pet is calm, and start by introducing the toothbrush and toothpaste to his mouth, allowing him to get used to the new taste and sensation. Praise him for being tolerant, and then brush the front and sides of his top and bottom teeth. Then move to the back and insides of the teeth. When you’re all done, give him lots of head pats and a treat for being so patient!
  • Try dog teeth cleaning treats. In recent years, a number of treats have come on the market that promise to help remove plaque from dog’s teeth and massage their gums. And it’s not all marketing hype! Many dog teeth cleaning treats contain beneficial ingredients like omega-3 fatty acids and important vitamins. On top of that, many of these treats have a textured surface designed to remove plaque and debris from your dog’s teeth and gums.
  • Use dog teeth cleaning chews. Does your pup love to gnaw on a bone or chew on a favorite toy? The act of chewing is good for dog teeth, as it can scrape off stubborn plaque and massage the gums. Talk to your vet to find out which dog teeth cleaning chews are best for your pup. Some breeds benefit from chewing on bones, cow’s ears, or pig’s feet, especially if you are using products with dog-safe ingredients. Just make sure these aren’t a choking hazard before you give one to your pet. Many pet stores carry rubber and nylon bones with a textured surface that can do the job, too.

It’s important that you take care of your dog’s teeth at home, but it’s also worthwhile to have a professional perform regular check-ups of your dog’s mouth. Your veterinarian can perform a professional cleaning and look for early signs of decay or gum diseases that you may not notice.

Getting Started With At-Home Dog Dental Care

Taking care of your dog’s teeth at home can be intimidating, but having the right products can make it much easier. At Natural Healthy Concepts we offer canine toothbrushes, oral cleaning gel formulated for dogs, and a variety of dog teeth cleaning chews that your pup is sure to love.

Do you clean your dog’s teeth at home? Do you use dog teeth cleaning chews or treats that you would recommend? We’d love to hear more about your experiences in the comments!