Teeth Cleaning For Dogs
Must Know Facts About Teeth Cleaning, Costs and Risks.
Dogs need constant upkeep, that much should be clear to any owner.
One of the aspects that must never be ignored is their bodily hygiene and health. After all, you take care of your body as regularly and thoroughly as possible, so why not give your four-legged companion the same treatment?
So, of course, you brush them, you bathe them every now and then, that much is taken for granted—but what about their teeth?
This particular topic is simply ignored by many dog owners, unfortunately, so much so that we saw it as our duty to inform you of the why and the how behind teeth cleaning for dogs in a regular and proper fashion.
First of all, it must be said that canine teeth aren’t sufficiently cleaned by brushing alone, just like our human ones.
Instead, an optimum oral hygiene regimen should include brushing at least twice a week as well as a decent amount of time spent chewing on healthy, plaque-removing substances such as knucklebones or suitable synthetic chewing and gnawing toys.
These are a more passive way of making sure your dog’s fangs are in tip-top shape, as they do not need your constant attention or action to work; almost any dog will happily and without orders chew on anything that is satisfyingly tasty and has the right shape.
Wiping is also an option, especially when there’s not enough time for a full round of brushing. In this case, use tooth wipes specifically made for dogs of the appropriate age and size.
Canine toothpaste is also important; you wouldn’t want to brush your doggie’s teeth only to find out that the paste you used wasn’t nearly as healthy for them as the packaging promised. In fact, many pastes intended for human teeth can quickly turn out to be disastrous when used on dogs, so be careful when shopping!
The toothbrush you use is of no lesser importance. Generally, you should be able to use an ordinary, human-sized one, as long as it is ergonomic enough to hold at any angle without problems, but for a much better reach and brushing performance, select models that were made with dogs in mind.
These can be electric, but the vast majority of those on the market are not. In general, the difference between these brushes and those you would use on your own teeth is that canine toothbrushes have softer bristles, which are often also arranged in different patterns to better accommodate the layout of the typical canine jaws. They additionally may include a soft, flexible chewing component, so that they may be used with or without human guidance or intervention.
For any other tools you may want to use—for example, some swear by so-called:
Canine Dental Pads – which are scrubbed along the teeth and are often laced with anti-bacterial chemicals to encourage healthy teeth, gums and a good breath—remember this basic rule:
Always choose something that was made for the size, weight and age group of your particular dog over something that advertises to be ‘the best’ at any specific application. As long as you start with something, be it regular brushing, a chewing toy or anything else, you can rest knowing that your dog will stay healthy and happy for a long time thanks to your continued care.