Taking care of your pet’s teeth is very important. Good oral hygiene can prevent later problems and complications. Therefore, brushing your dog’s teeth daily with dog toothpaste is a good idea.

Not only will your dog’s breath be fresher, but dog toothpaste is better for the teeth. Regular brushing reduces the formation of tartar, which eventually turns into plaque.

As dogs get older, the periodontal disease becomes more common. This may be due to inadequate dental care during childhood. As with humans, dental care for these animals should be a daily routine.

Why Use Toothpaste for Dogs?

Toothpaste helps remove food debris from dog teeth and the friction caused by brushing. When these residues remain on the dog’s teeth, they accumulate and become plaque. This is a yellow substance that spreads over the teeth.

Mineral salts, and bacteria accumulate in the mouth, and the plaque becomes hard. In some cases, professional intervention is required to remove the plaque.

Plaque build-up can lead to more severe health complications. Examples include gingivitis and swollen gums. If left untreated, this dental condition can lead to tooth loss in dogs.

Another symptom of poor oral hygiene is tooth and gum sensitivity. The best way to treat dental disease is to consult a professional. Once a diagnosis has been made, the veterinarian can begin the most effective treatment for the dog in question.

How to Care for a Dog’s Teeth

Dental care habits should be gradually incorporated into your pet’s daily routine. Your dog may react badly to forceful or unexpected teeth cleaning. At first, the dog will certainly feel uncomfortable.

The owner must be patient until the dog becomes accustomed to the teeth cleaning.

Oral Hygiene as a Daily Routine

To make oral hygiene a daily habit, you can try the following routines:

• Use the right toothbrush: Do not use a human toothbrush!
• Some experts recommend applying toothpaste with your index finger. Then switch to using a dog toothbrush.
• Another way to get them used to brush their teeth is to cover the brush head. This will minimize the touch of the toothbrush and allow it to get deeper into the mouth.
• Use dog toothpaste, not human toothpaste: Never use human toothpaste (even for children) on dogs. Unlike humans, dogs cannot spit and will swallow the product.
• Dog toothpaste is designed to be non-hazardous to dogs. In addition, it contains specific enzymes that prevent the spread of bacteria on dog teeth.
• Slowly develop good hygiene habits: just like humans, dogs need to get used to brushing their teeth at the same time every day. If daily is impossible, it is best to do it at least once or twice a week.
• Regular check-ups at the veterinary clinic: When you visit the veterinary clinic, have a professional check the condition of your dog’s teeth. This is an excellent opportunity to ask questions about dental care. The veterinarian can adjust brushing methods and recommend the best toothpaste for your dog.

Other options

In addition to toothpaste sold in stores, you can make your own toothpaste for your dog. Its base is baking soda mixed with other nutritious ingredients. Depending on your pet’s preference, he may prefer a homemade version.

The basic ingredients are sodium bicarbonate and water, but there are also preparations based on chicken broth, and coconut.

For adult dogs, there are chewable products that improve a dog’s dental health. These treats improve bad breath and remove food debris and plaque. However, these products do not replace teeth cleaning.

In other words, toothpaste is still necessary for healthy teeth.

Let us know if these few tips have helped you in the comments below!