HOW TO CLEAN DOG TEETH? WHEN TO CONSULT A VETERINARY DENTIST?

Oral hygiene improves quality of life and keeps pets healthier. Vaccinating, worming and bathing are routine activities in the lives of those who have a pet at home. But, what about the teeth? A lot of people wonder whether or not you need to clean your dog’s teeth.

The answer is simple: yes! Although we’re not used to it or think it’s silly, according to experts, keeping our teeth clean is very important for our friend’s health.

Why brush my pet’s teeth?

Just like with us, when dogs feed, leftover food is deposited and builds up between their teeth. It is in this region that thousands of bacteria love to live and reproduce.

With that, the likelihood of inflammation, loss of teeth, tartar and a series of infections is great if you don’t do proper hygiene in your friend’s mouth. The phrase “health starts with the mouth” is very valid in this case.

There are several reasons to brush your dog’s teeth, but the main one is to prevent tartar. Bacteria that build up in the gum line form soft deposits that are known as plaque.

Over time, these plates turn into tartars, which generate periodontal diseases.

When to start cleaning my dog’s teeth?

Brushing is a habit that should start early, when your pet is still a puppy . As puppies love to try everything they can and cannot, this is the ideal phase to start the procedure.

What if my pet is an adult and has never brushed its teeth? It’s a little more complicated, but not impossible He might be a little awkward at first, but the more confidence you give him, the more he will accept it.

With patience and love, everything will fall into place! Gather the tools and get to work! Ideally, you should clean your dog’s teeth every day. But if this is not possible, set aside at least a few days a week for this.

If your pet is small or has a wide, flat nose, as is the case with Pugs and Bulldogs, brushing should be done more frequently.

What materials are needed for brushing?

The basic materials for cleaning dog teeth are the same as humans use: toothpaste and brush. But, you should use the ones that were made exclusively for dogs.

Toothpaste. Dog toothpaste is made with components that, in addition to fighting bacteria, help loosen tartar from teeth.

There are several options for brands and flavors and this makes acceptance a lot easier. Some flavors, such as meat, will make brushing easy for you and delicious for your friend.

Toothbrush or toothbrush. The two are responsible for the mechanical movement of removing the plates and eliminating the remains of food that remain in the mouth.

The fingers are made of silicone and you place it on your index finger to make brushing your friend easier. The brushes are anatomical, with very soft bristles and have a long handle to facilitate handling.

Which one to choose? The best choice is the one that is comfortable for you and your pet. Both must be safe so that there is no stress.

How do I brush my pet?

With the tools in hand, choose a quiet time and a place that is pleasant for that moment. Your friend must be relaxed. Apply the toothpaste to the toothbrush or finger.

Massage the teeth, gums and roof of the mouth with smooth movements, without using too much force. Make repetitive movements, but without putting force.

After brushing your teeth, you don’t need to rinse. The toothpaste was developed for this purpose and does not require the use of water.

What if my dog ​​has tartar?

We know that brushing pet teeth wasn’t a very common activity some time ago. With that in mind, if you notice that your friend has a lot of tartar, the best thing to do is take him to the vet .

Tartar removal can only be carried out by specialists because the animal must be sedated.