Taking care of your pup’s teeth is an essential part of basic hygiene and routine care

When was the last time you smelled your dog’s breath? Depending on how affectionate your pup is (and how much you allow them to lick your face) it may have been sometime today. What did your dog’s breath smell like? And how do your dog’s teeth look? Just like with humans, your pup’s dental hygiene is an extremely important part of their overall health.

Of course, dogs don’t understand the value of keeping their teeth healthy but you should. Like many parts of routine dog care, teeth cleaning is something good pet parents have to do, even if their pups don’t get what all the fuss is about.

1. Get your dog used to the tools

Do you remember going to the dentist as a child? Depending on how your parents and the doctor prepared you, it was either an easy day or a terrible one. If one of the adults involved in the visit took the time to walk you through the process, you probably had an easier time. But if the dentist just dove in with their toolbox of mystery objects without any prelude from your parents, you probably have some “freak out” memories.

Your dog is the same way. In the wild, canines keep their teeth healthy by chewing on things. While nature’s approach certainly has its benefits, chewing on a hunk of wood doesn’t give nearly the same benefits as a thorough tooth cleaning or routine brushing.

To get your dog used to this (from their point of view) bizarre ritual, take out the strange instruments you will be shoving into their mouth, aka the toothbrush. On the first day, don’t go charging for your canine’s teeth. Instead, just set them in your lap. Dogs are naturally curious creatures. They’ll come sniffing to find out what these new objects are.

2. Remember the treats

Before you shove an object in your pup’s mouth, have plenty of treats and praise ready. Every time your dog lets you approach their mouth with it, reward their trust in you. Just like people, dogs are motivated by treats and praise!

If you do this consistently when the toothbrush and assorted goodies come out, your dog will learn to associate the yummy treats and positive reinforcement with dental cleaning time. It’s a win for both of you.

3. Start slow

After your dog has had time to get used to the strange ”not-toys” in your lap, it’s time to slowly work your way up to brushing. Take the toothbrush and bring it closer to your dog’s face, just for a moment. Having strange things lunging at their faces is stressful for dogs. Take your time with this step. Don’t push the issue too far, too fast. Eventually, you can get to the point where your pup may allow you to stick the toothbrush in their mouth.

Also, you have choices when selecting a toothbrush for your dog. There are dog toothbrushes that are similar to ours. There are also small dog toothbrushes that are similar to thimbles. They fit on one of your fingers. If your dog is very timid or has trouble warming up to the whole ”rooting around in my mouth” thing, this may be the way to go. Your dog might find the idea of your finger in their mouth more comfortable than having a stick jammed in there!

4. Keep sessions short

Dogs are very smart, more than many people give them credit for. But they don’t have the longest attention spans. When you start working with your dog on dental care, keep the sessions at five minutes or less. For puppies, make the sessions even shorter. Dogs, especially puppies, are not going to want to cooperate with such an odd procedure for very long at first.

5. Get safe, tasty toothpaste

Remember that it’s vital to get a toothpaste formulated specifically for dogs. Human toothpaste has ingredients in it that are toxic to dogs like xylitol and fluoride. Protect your pup’s health with toothpaste just for them that can find at pet stores.

When introducing it, let your dog have a lick. Dog toothpastes can come in yummy flavors for them like peanut butter. After a few brief sessions, your dog will begin to view their toothpaste as a yummy treat.

6. Try dog tooth wipes

Dog tooth wipes are just like the name suggests. They are wipes that you can use to wipe off your dog’s teeth between cleanings. For fussy dogs, they can be a great way to manage their oral hygiene between brushings and cleanings.

One caveat? They don’t get into the nooks and crannies of your dog’s teeth. Still, they can be an effective supplement to an overall dental hygiene protocol for your pup.

7. Promote healthy teeth with the right foods

With the right foods, you can promote dental hygiene from within! Below is a list of suggested foods that help support healthy teeth and gums.

Bones – Raw bones include calcium. Calcium gives dogs what they need for strong teeth. As mentioned earlier, chewing is great for a dog’s health.

Spices – Dill and fennel are just two of the spices that help your dog’s oral hygiene. Dill fights infections and fennel helps freshen breath. If your dog has healthy teeth but stinky breath, try giving them fresh parsley as well. It’s a great breath freshener!

Strawberries – Strawberries are helpful for whitening teeth.

8. Dental treats for dogs

Like people, dogs have their own preferences. Some dogs dive in and eat anything tasty they can get their jaws around. Other pups are more discerning, making it tougher to find yummy treats they enjoy. If you find a tasty dental goodie your dog likes, give thanks! An appealing dog dental treat can accomplish several goals.

First, by themselves, dog dental treats are a great way to help keep your dog’s teeth healthy. High-quality treats are designed to reduce your dog’s plaque buildup. They freshen breath and help your dog’s mouth stay clean.

The second advantage? If you’re working to slowly acclimate your dog to teeth brushing, these treats serve as great reinforcements to help your dog associate teeth brushing with good stuff.

9. High-quality dog chews

This is a tried-and-true method for promoting healthy teeth in your dog. In nature, when dogs chew on rough objects, their gnawing helps to remove plaque. It’s recommended that you provide your pup with high-quality chews. Many treats, especially rawhide, can break apart and be a choking hazard.

Dogs typically enjoy chewing. It gives them something to do. You might consider longer-lasting chews like nylon or rubber chews. They give your dog hours of fun, and when the dust settles, they have healthier teeth!

10. A professional cleaning

Depending on your dog’s overall dental hygiene, at some point in their life, you may have to schedule a professional cleaning. This service is somewhat costly and can only be done properly by a veterinarian. But it’s not something your dog will need very often. And while your dog is under anesthesia, your vet can give your pup’s teeth a thorough examination. If any teeth need to be pulled or other issues checked, your vet can take care of it in one appointment.

If your dog has particularly stinky breath and you have tried everything else, talk to your vet. During a routine examination, they can determine what’s going on with your dog’s teeth. They can recommend a course of action, give you an estimate of the cost, and maybe even suggest alternate courses of action.

How routine dog care can help immensely

If you’re a new dog parent, you may not be sure of the overall condition of your dog’s health. And even experienced dog parents often don’t know how to evaluate their dog’s oral health. Regular visits to your vet will help you stay on top of any needed procedures.

Another easy way to find out if there are any immediate issues with your dog’s teeth is with regular routine dog care. SCENT Techs who see your dog regularly for hygienic care will do a thorough check of your dog’s teeth. When your pup is getting bathed and groomed by a friendly professional they are comfortable with, they can let you know if there are any concerns that your vet should know about.

Leave the routine care to Scenthound

The Monthly Care Club at Scenthound is an easy, affordable, and convenient solution for your pup’s basic grooming needs, which include teeth brushing. Unlike traditional grooming, your dog gets care in five essential areas (Skin, Coat, Ears, Nails, and Teeth) and is in and out in 30 minutes. Use our handy store locator to find the Scenthound Scenter closest to you.