Don’t deke out on doggie dental care
Irecently had a reader request an article about cleaning dogs’ teeth. She remarked that most people are not aware of its importance or do not know how to care for their dog’s teeth and gums. I was happy to grant this request and shed some light on this often overlooked aspect of dog care to give dog enthusiasts some of the whys, hows, tips and tricks of doggie dental care.
Why it’s important
Attending to your dog’s oral health not only helps to prevent stinky doggie breath, but is essential to their overall health. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs develop a form of canine periodontal disease by the age of three. This progressive illness is caused by mouth bacteria that harm gums and bones. Unfortunately, periodontal disease is invisible to the untrained eye until it causes significant damage, so prevention is an important strategy. Left untreated, dental disease adversely affects all of the body’s organs, including the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. The constant release of bacterial infections from the mouth to the rest of the body is a form of systemic poisoning. Tooth brushing is the best preventive, cost effective practice to maintain the health of a dog.
How to brush with no tears
Let’s be honest. Most dogs are not big fans of humans shoving little brushes in their mouth and scrubbing away at the plaque on their teeth. This care procedure is going to take some time, patience and lots of positive reinforcement to get your dog on board. If you have a puppy, you’re in luck as it’s easiest to start healthy habits early. Whether you’re working with a puppy or an adult dog, go slow and do not force your dog to cooperate. It will back fire I promise you. Get your puppy comfortable with you handling their mouth, lifting their lips to examine their teeth. Do this a few times a day, gradually increasing the time. Reward with yummy treats after each lip lift. Give them extra treats if they manage to keep still while you handle their mouth. Keep the sessions short and rewarding.
Once you can lift the lips and examine the teeth without your dog fussing, start rubbing your finger over their gums and teeth for just a couple of seconds. Give your dog great rewards and praise afterwards. When they can tolerate this reliably, wrap some clean, wet gauze around your finger to perform some rudimentary toothbrushing. Continue to keep these sessions short, frequent and highly rewarding.
Still going well? Now you can introduce the toothbrush. Use a soft toothbrush children’s size for small dogs, adult size for large dogs. The first few times you introduce your dog to a toothbrush, put something yummy on the bristles and let them lick it off. Then perform your usual exam, gum rubbing, and tooth touching, with a bit of brushing with the brush added in. Lavishly reward your dog’s cooperation.
As you progress, gradually replace more and more of the gum rubbing and tooth touching with more and more brushing. Always use a wet, soft-bristled brush, and brush gently in small circles, with the bristles angled toward the gums. You can work on the different areas as follows:
• To brush the front teeth, gently pull back the dog’s lips.
• For the upper back teeth, put the brush in the dog’s cheek, and, gently holding her muzzle, close her mouth and brush. Closing the mouth controls the dog’s tongue, reducing any struggle with brushing.
• For the lower back teeth, release your hold on the muzzle a bit, slightly open the dog’s mouth, and brush the bottom back teeth.
As for toothpaste? It’s better to simply wet the toothbrush with water and forego the paste. Many dogs try to eat paste by chewing the toothbrush, making the brushing job a whole lot harder for us. To have the benefit of the enzymes in canine toothpaste, you can use it as a treat after you brush your dog’s teeth. Do not use human toothpaste. It is not palatable to dogs, it is meant to be spit out, not swallowed, and it can contain chemicals which are toxic to dogs.
Other methods or products for
dental health
A recent study published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry found that adding a dental chew to a dog’s diet resulted in reductions in plaque and tartar accumulation. There are also dental gels that you can rub daily onto your dog’s teeth that help slow the formation of tartar. Raw bones can clean teeth and gums while providing chewing pleasure and jaw exercise. However, bones can cause broken teeth, especially if their size and shape allow dogs to get them between their molars and crunch down. Marrow bones are a particular risk. Knuckle bones may be safer because of their shape, especially for large dogs and aggressive chewers. For best results, feed raw, fresh bones and remove them once the meat has been eaten, before they dry out. Cooked bones can splinter and are not recommended. There are also some chew toys that are specially designed to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.
Whether or not you brush your dog’s teeth or give them alternatives to brushing, your dog’s teeth and gums need regular care and monitoring from you. Early detection and intervention of problems can prevent serious and costly health consequences. Keeping your dog’s teeth in good shape will keep a smile on their face as well as yours.
Do you have questions or comments regarding dog behaviour or training? Are there topics you would like me to discuss in future articles? Feel free to contact me at: mary@paragonpooch.com
Mary Maclachlan is a certified professional dog trainer living in Sherbrooke and is the proud owner of Paragon Pooch Pet Services. She is dedicated to helping dogs and their human companions build stronger relationships based on clear communication, trust and play.