Making Good Doggy Dental Habits

You can admit it, you hate the dentist. We all do! But brushing your teeth is very important - and not just for you, for your pup, too. Here are some doggy dental tips so you can make good habits and have a healthy dog with pearly-white teeth. 

Must-Haves

To keep up with your dog's dental health, you'll need a few tools. First, a doggy toothbrush. There are toothbrushes made specifically for dogs that are angle and slip over your finger to make it easier. You can also use regular soft-bristled toothbrushes (kids toothbrushes work great for small dogs).

You'll also need doggy toothpaste.  Unlike humans, dogs don't really get the whole "spitting" thing with toothpaste, so make sure you get a toothpaste that's specifically for dogs. These come in yummy (even meaty) flavors and are safe for your dog to swallow. 

Preparation

Let your dog sniff and lick the toothpaste. Then, put some on the toothbrush and let them lick it. They'll like it because of its taste and might even think that you're just feeding them treats in a whole new weird way.

 Brushing

For the act of brushing, your dog will need to be okay with you grabbing their mouth. To tackle one layer of teeth at a time, you'll need to lift up the lips of their muzzle. First the bottom, then the top. Make sure you have a firm grip with one hand on their muzzle. Brush the front teeth gently and slowly, one at a time.

To get to the back teeth, you'll need to gain your pup's trust. Once they're okay with the front teeth being brushed, gently open their jaw enough to get to their back teeth. or some dogs, this could happen right away but for others, it might take a few days.

Repetition

While all vets would recommend that you brush your dog's teeth every day, that's probably a big ask. Your dog will be plenty happy and healthy if you brush their teeth at least once a week. Make it a Sunday night activity. The repetition will help get your pup used to it so it's not a struggle.

So who's teeth will you be brushing tonight? (Hopefully the answer is yours and your dog's!)