What type of toothbrush should I use?
Commercial toothbrushes are available that are specifically designed for use in dogs. These include:
For some dogs, it is acceptable to use a very soft toothbrush designed for use in human babies.
The type of toothbrush you use depends a little on the size of your dog and a little on your own dexterity. Many pet owners find it easier to use a finger brush, especially when just beginning to brush their dogs teeth. Check with your veterinarian if you are uncertain of which brush to use.
Regardless of the type of toothbrush you use, it is important to be gentle and go slowly as it is easy to accidentally poke the tip of the toothbrush against the gums and cause some irritation.
Chew Toys for Dog Dental Care
Offer your dog safe chew toys and chew bones to gnaw on. They can provide your dog with an appropriate outlet to satisfy that instinct to chew (which can save you a few shoes!) and help strengthen teeth and gums.
Be sure anything you give your dog to chew on is safe and not too hard. Tough objects can cause damage to the soft tissues of the mouth and loosen or fracture teeth.
If you’re interested in dog insurance coverage that can cover dental injuries like fractures, get a free quote now. You can also check out our other dog safety Infographic, which lays out the dangers of chocolate for dogs.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
Wrinkly dogs require a little bit of extra cleaning and grooming. Check out some helpful tips on how to keep your dog’s wrinkles squeaky clean.
There are plenty of eco-friendly pet care products now available. Anything from cat litter to dog food can help make a difference for the environment.
Do a Weekly Home Check
Take a good look at your dog’s teeth and gums at least once a week. Find a time when your dog is relaxed, such as after a long walk, and have your dog face you. Gently lift their lips so you can see the gums and teeth. If you notice signs of periodontal disease or other potential problems, such as lumps on the gums or discoloration of the gums or teeth, reach out to your veterinarian.
Even if you take great care of your dog’s teeth at home, you need to set up annual dog teeth cleaning sessions at your veterinarian’s office. Your veterinarian can:
You can sign up for preventive care coverage for a little more each month that includes an annual dental cleaning with ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. Learn more about dog insurance. Since yearly dental cleanings and weekly teeth brushings are necessary for your dog’s best health, these are some added expenses that dog parents should account for when adopting a pup. Do you know how much it costs to have a dog?
Before taking your pup for their dental cleaning, it’s important first to be established with a veterinarian. If this is your pet’s first veterinary visit, learn what to expect.
The American Veterinary Dental College recommends anesthesia for professional dog teeth cleaning because dogs can’t understand the need to sit still and stay calm during a dental procedure as we do. While anesthesia always carries risks, the pros outweigh the cons for most dogs.
Anesthesia not only makes the experience less stressful for your dog, but it can also make it less painful. In addition, it allows the veterinarian to clean below the gum line and closely examine each tooth in your dog’s mouth.
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If not cleaned, dog teeth can develop problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, the buildup of plaque and bad breath. Eventually, you may have to endure bad breath or end up at the vet’s to have the teeth removed.
To prevent this, you brush your dog’s teeth every day. That means you need to get a dog toothbrush because you should not use just any toothbrush. And yes, there is a toothbrush for dogs.
To help you out, here are four things you should know about dog toothbrushes. These will guide you to get the right one for your pet.
Dog toothbrushes have soft and gentle bristles to prevent damage to the gums when cleaning. However, they are strong enough to remove debris in between the teeth.
In comparison to a human’s toothbrush, a dog toothbrush should have softer bristles than the baby’s toothbrush. That’s why it is not advisable to use a human toothbrush since it has stiffer bristles that can damage the mouth and gums of your dog.
The best dog toothbrushes have bristles made using materials that are pet-safe, food-grade, and FDA approved.
The handles are also made using safe and durable materials that don’t break easily. Can you imagine a handle breaking when you are cleaning your pet’s teeth? The consequences can be fatal.
Pet safe and durable materials ensure that the dog will not be exposed to harmful elements when its teeth are being cleaned.
You will find that dog toothbrushes have angled heads to help reach all teeth and clean the back surfaces. This way, you can reach and remove stubborn tartar and plaque easily in-between teeth and on the farthest teeth.
The neck is also at an angle so as to reach the back of the teeth. It also allows easy cleaning of the canine teeth, since they have different shapes and are longer than those of humans.
Dog toothbrushes have a long handle. This way, you can reach far into the dog’s mouth and reach all of the dog’s teeth up to the farthest end of the mouth when cleaning. The long handle conveniently cleans the dog’s teeth without your hand getting into the dog’s mouth.
Some brushes have textured handles, even if it is on one side, to give a proper grip when cleaning the dog’s teeth.
Also, it comes in different sizes. Your small dog will need a smaller toothbrush while you will need a larger one for your bulldog. So you will find dog toothbrushes of different sizes and shapes.
Some types of dog’s toothbrushes are dual, with a larger head on one side and a smaller head on the other. You can choose the end to use depending on the size of your dog.
It would be best if you did not use a human toothbrush on your dog because the bristles are stiffer and can injure the gums of your pet. Also, it has a larger head angle which means it can’t clean the dog’s back teeth effectively.