Tips For Keeping Your Dog’s Teeth Clean

February is Pet Dental Health Month and is celebrated and sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and we think it is a great way to show some love by keeping a dog’s teeth clean. At Dogizone, we celebrate pet dental health year-round, with our groomers able to offer grooming, teeth cleaning, and even nail trimming to keep dogs looking and feeling great.

Open seven days a week and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends, we can provide full-service grooming. This includes a soothing bath, coat clipping if requested, as well as cleaning dog’s teeth and ears. We also offer customized serviced and bathing packages, ideal for keeping your dog beautiful throughout the year. 

In between visits, there are some simple ways that dog owners can help keep their pet’s teeth shiny and white. Just like people, dogs can develop plaque at the gum line that can spread and cause brown teeth, bad breath, gum irritation, and even early tooth loss. 

As dogs age, the issues with dental health become more significant. It is estimated that about 80 percent of adult dogs have some level of oral disease. Failing to treat the condition can result in reduced quality of life for the dog, including problems with chewing and digestion as well as infections. 

Regular Brushing 

Most puppies and dogs do not initially like having their teeth brushed. However, taking it slowly and providing lots of attention and praise makes it more comfortable over time. 

Choose a soft bristle toothbrush of the correct size for the dog. There are also rubber finger sleeves with bumpy surfaces that can be used to gently rub against the teeth and stimulate the gums. 

Use doggy formulated toothpaste, never human toothpaste, to gently lift food and debris from around the teeth. Ideally, brushing should be a daily habit and can be done at the end of the day or after the last meal. 

Healthy Chew Toys 

There are many rubber or nylon products on the market that are designed to stimulate the gums and gently scrape the surface of the teeth to remove the plague. 

Look for chew toys that are large enough to avoid choking or swallowing, and always monitor your pet when he or she is chewing. There are flavored dental chews that are made of very strong nylon and rubber that encourage dogs to chew. 

Talk to your vet before choosing any of the “edible” types of tooth cleaning chew treats on the market. Products that include rawhide should be avoided as they actually stick to the teeth and pose a significant risk for choking and digestive blockages. 

Healthy Snacks 

Healthy snacks such as broccoli, carrots, pieces of apple, or other types of crunchy fruits and vegetables your dog enjoys are great for the teeth and gums. Raw bones of the correct size and type that cannot shatter or splinter are also a natural tooth cleaning option, but they can be messy if the dog enjoys the bone inside the house.