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Canine Teeth Cleaning - What You Need to Know
Written by Geraldine Dimarco   
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Ideally, dog teeth cleaning should be a routine part of your pet's regular care and their teeth should be brushed on a daily basis, or at least every other day or so. Because dog teeth are just as susceptible to disease and decay as are human teeth, it's extremely important keep tartar and plaque at bay to protect your dog's precious health.
by GeraldineDimarco


Ideally, dog teeth cleaning should be a routine part of your pet's regular care and their teeth should be brushed on a daily basis, or at least every other day or so. Because dog teeth are just as susceptible to disease and decay as are human teeth, it's extremely important keep tartar and plaque at bay to protect your dog's precious health.

Dental Health and Hygiene in Dogs

Dogs can get many of the same tooth, gum and mouth diseases as we can - and since your dog can't tell you if they have a toothache, pet owners have to make sure to take care of their dog's teeth. Left alone, a tooth infection can lead to more serious problems with their vital organs.

The diet your dog eats makes a big difference to the health of their teeth. Fortified dog food and treats which are designed to maintain dental health are one good way to protect your pets' health. You can have your dogs' teeth professionally cleaned by your vet, but this is not needed except in extreme cases; your dog has to be anesthetized and can be expensive and risky for your pet.

Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth

With patience and perseverance, you can get your dog to become comfortable with tooth brushing. You adult dog or puppy can learn to have their teeth brushed by using your finger and a canine favorite; peanut butter!

Your dog will lick your finger - this will let you start rubbing their teeth and gums. Be sure to offer plenty of praise while you do this. Soon, your dog will be used to this and you can move on to a finger wrapped in gauze. Rub the teeth and gums in a circular motion, just as you would with a toothbrush. When your pet becomes accustomed to this, you're ready to move in to the real thing.

Never use toothpaste intended for humans on your dog as ingredients such as baking soda will upset their stomach. Also, dog toothpaste is specially formulated for their teeth and will have an appealing smell and taste to help make the process a bit easier. Start out by letting your dog lick a dollop of toothpaste off of the brush first, then use more to finally start brushing.

Lift the sides of your dog's gums so you can access their upper teeth, aptly called the canines, and hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle for the best results. This allows you to clean the gum line as well as the teeth to keep the gums equally as healthy. Brushing two to three teeth at a time, brush in a circular motion anywhere from eight to ten times or so in order to get each area clean. A dog's upper back teeth tend to be the most susceptible to decay and periodontal disease, so if anything, focus your efforts there first.

Make dog teeth cleaning a happy occasion for your dog. Keep low key to prevent your dog from getting too excited to hold still. You should only need abut a minute to get your dogs' teeth clean and make sure that they stay healthy and happy.

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