4 Tips to Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean

Tartar, plaque, and gingivitis… oh, my! Along with your own oral hygiene, it’s important to pay close attention to your pup’s pearly whites. Here’s the deal …

More than 80% of dogs over the age of three reportedly suffer from active dental disease. Unless pet parents take action early on, their dog’s teeth will just worsen with age, eventually impacting their overall health.

It all starts with the mouth. Within just a few hours of eating a meal, plaque can start forming on the teeth. Within just 24 hours, that gummy plaque can accumulate, mineralize, and harden, becoming tartar. Forming above and below the gum line, tartar irritates the gums and can lead to inflammation (AKA gingivitis). Swollen, red, and even bleeding gums are not normal and need to be checked by a veterinarian immediately. 

This all causes some pretty stinky dog breath and can leave your pooch in a lot of pain. Eventually, if poor dental health progresses, the teeth can rot, loosen, and likely fall out. But it doesn’t end there. Dogs who suffer from poor dental health typically have weakened and broken down gum tissue. This creates openings in the gums for bacteria to enter the bloodstream. If your dog’s immune system doesn’t fight off that bacteria, it can reach, and eventually affect, the heart. Periodontal disease can also trigger serious health issues in other organs, such as the liver and kidneys.

To help keep your dog’s teeth clean, follow these four tips:


Regular Toothbrushing

Daily toothbrushing is one of the best ways you can keep your pup’s teeth pearly white! It’s not time-consuming. In fact, I brush my dogs’ teeth every single night before bed, right after I brush my own. 

You’ll need dog-formulated toothpaste and a doggy toothbrush. 

Start by adding a little pet-formulated toothpaste to your pup’s toothbrush. Lift your dog’s lip to expose the outside surfaces of his gums and teeth. Resting the brush on his teeth, make gentle, small, circular motions (similar to how you would brush your own teeth).

Along with brushing the front teeth, make sure to get your dog’s back teeth since those are the ones they use the most when eating and are the dirtiest. When you’re brushing, focus on the outsides of your pet’s teeth — that’s where the most tartar and plaque build-up. 

When you first start brushing your dog’s teeth, don’t rush the process. If he’s only comfortable with getting a few teeth brushed at a time then only brush a few at a time! You can always break your brushing into sessions — cleaning a few in the morning and a few at night.


Wipe Your Dog’s Teeth with Oral Pads

While you’re working your way up to routine toothbrushing, you can try using canine dental pads. By wiping your fur baby gum line, you will get rid of some bacteria and food residue. You can get canine dental pads in your local pet store, or simply use a gauze pad.


Feed Your Pooch a Healthy Diet

It may come as no surprise that your dog’s diet has a lot to do with his oral health. Feeding processed kibble and store-bought commercial treats filled with sugar take a toll on your dog’s pearly whites. Think of it this way: Regular dry kibble doesn’t clean your dog’s teeth any more than cereal, pretzels, or potato chips clean yours.

Instead, when it comes to a dog’s diet, the less processing = the better. Focus on feeding your canine kid whole foods – fresh meats, fish, and vegetables. Foods loaded with antioxidants, fatty acids, and probiotics are all beneficial to a dog’s dental health.

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Raw Bones

Consider giving your dog raw, meaty bones (never cooked bones – they’re too brittle and can splinter). Gnawing away on a fresh bone is a great way to scrape the teeth and help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation. Of course, it’s important to know your dog’s chew style. There are a variety of bone types and sizes on the market – evaluate what’s right for your pup and consult with your vet if you have any questions or concerns. 

Please note: Rawhides are not raw, meaty bones and I recommend avoiding them. These chemical-laden bones are linked to choking, airway obstruction, esophageal blockages, and intestinal blockages (among other things).


Symptoms of Poor Oral Hygiene

Smaller dogs are more prone to dental problems. So even if you are brushing your dog’s teeth, feeding him a healthy diet, and giving him lots of bones, you should still keep a close eye on his teeth. If you notice any of the following symptoms, pay your vet a visit:

  • Bad breath
  • Excessive drooling
  • Yellowish-brown tartar build-up along the gum line
  • Red or swollen gums
  • Bumps in the mouth
  • Pawing at face

If your vet wants to take action, make sure to do your homework on the procedure first.