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First
check your local pet food stores for dog toothpaste.
It is usually sold in meat flavors, which make it easier
to use on your dog. Do not use human toothpaste even
though you believe you dog likes mint and peppermint
flavors, they will probably burn your dog's sinuses and they are
not meant to be swallowed, even if they are not harmful
to people, it may upset your dogs stomach.
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Start
out by rubbing a small amount of the toothpaste over your
dogs gums, and teeth while generously praising them,
so they believe they are getting a special treat. Do this
several times a week for a few weeks, so your dog is used
to your fingers in their mouth and also to the rubbing
and handling of his/her teeth. |
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If
you do not have medical gauze in you home, you will have
to pick some up at the store (it is cheap). Wrap some
gauze around your fingers, and using the same method you
have been using over the past few weeks, rub the toothpaste
covered gauze over your dogs gums and teeth, this does
a better job than your fingers, and the scrubbing sensation
will help your dog adjust to the toothbrush. |
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Now
that your have been scrubbing your dogs teeth with gauze
and toothpaste, and both you and your dog are comfortable
with handling all teeth even back molars you can try with
a toothbrush. It may take more than a month for the more
timid or skittish dogs and people - keep at it and youll
both smile brighter. |
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Use
a soft bristled toothbrush if you cannot find one for
dogs in your local pet stores. The new fancy kinds with
the different length bristles may come in extra soft -
those are the best, as they can easily be worked between
the canine teeth. Do not ever use a hard bristled toothbrush
or even medium as it may damage or irritate a dogs gums. |
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Do
not over brush. If your dog dental care has been more
or less consistent since they were a puppy, you should
only have to brush their teeth once or twice a week. Remember,
they should not be eating candy or sweets, so they will
not need to use the same diligence as their owners. |
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