Brushing your dog’s teeth
Healthy teeth are important for dogs, especially for eating. Dental diseases can cause toothache and the dog stops eating. In addition, if the food is not chewed properly, the animal can no longer draw enough nutrients from the food. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can also be the result. It is therefore important that you provide your dog dental care. Which includes regular brushing. But brushing your dog's teeth is often not easy. Tips on teeth brushing and how the dental care succeeds especially effectively, you will receive in this post.
​
​
Dental care for dogs - that's why it's so important
Tartar and mouth odor are usually just the beginning. The initial problems can quickly develop into gingivitis or periodontitis, leading to long-term tooth loss in the animal. In the ancestors of our domestic dogs, the teeth were cleaned in a very natural way directly while eating. The food that we feed our pets today is only in very few cases suitable to clean the teeth of the dog naturally. Without sufficient dental care, food remains in the dog's teeth. The teeth are gradually covered by dental plaque, which eventually solidifies into tartar as in humans. If the dog developed calculus, it can only be removed by the veterinarian under anesthesia. If the plaque is not removed, the gums can also inflame. A periodontal disease has developed, which can even attack the jawbone without treatment and thus end in tooth loss.
Dental diseases in dogs are common meanwhile. Veterinarians report that 80 percent of all dogs over three years suffer from teeth and gum problems, some are more affected than others.
​
​
The right toothbrush for the dog
In order to effectively prevent tartar and dental disease, toothbrush and toothpaste are mandatory for the dog. However, if you brush your dog's teeth, you should not use conventional toothbrushes because the brushes on these models are usually so hard that they can easily cause injury to the animal. To brush dog teeth, the market has various types of toothbrushes available.
Dog toothbrush with handle or as fingerstall
Special dog toothbrushes have extra soft brushes, which are also adapted to the dog's teeth. Most dog toothbrushes have a bristle head at each end. With the large bristle head of the toothbrush, you can brush the front teeth, the small head is intended for cleaning the molars. Toothbrushes for dogs you get with a handle or as a practical fingerstall, which you simply put on your finger to brush your teeth. Unlike a manual toothbrush, a fingerstall cannot accidentally injure the dog as the models have no hard spots. Especially for small dogs, for whom normal toothbrushes are usually too big, a fingerling is a real alternative.
It is important that the finger cots also fit on your fingers, so they do not slip when you brush your dog's teeth.
​
​
Electric toothbrushes for the dog
Electric toothbrushes are now available on the market for dogs. The models allow a particularly thorough cleaning of the dog's teeth. The clear disadvantage is the vibration and the noise. Some dogs are so frightened by the buzzing sound of the bust that they cannot brush their teeth with it, others get used to the vibration over time.
​
​
Ultrasonic toothbrush for dogs
The dental care of dogs succeeds even more effectively with the ultrasonic toothbrush emmi®-pet, which uses a completely new procedure for tooth cleaning. The ultrasound generated by the brush produces millions of tiny bubbles that penetrate into the smallest gaps where they implode, destroying plaque and bacteria. Also in the application, the innovative technology offers numerous advantages for you and your four-legged friend. The ultrasound works in contrast to a conventional electric toothbrush noiseless and almost free of movement, so that the brushing of teeth in the dog for both the animal and the owner is extremely uncomplicated.
​
​
Which toothpaste for the dog?
To give your dog and his teeth the best possible care, it is important that you use a toothpaste specially designed for dogs when brushing your teeth. Because the active ingredients that contains toothpaste for humans are often harmful to dogs. In addition, the taste of the toothpaste is too spicy for most dogs.
​
​
This is how you get your dog used to brushing teeth
Begin as early as possible in the puppy stage so that the animal can get used to the procedure (early). If you want to get an older dog used to toothbrush, you need more patience and rewards. In dogs, it makes sense to combine the brushing with a specific command, so that the dog immediately knows what will happen next. For example, the term “teeth” is suitable for this purpose. Slowly and playfully guide your dog to brushing his teeth and give him plenty of time for each step. It is also important to reinforce desired behavior with much praise and rewards.
​
At the beginning of training your pet needs to tolerate that the owner touches his mouth and teeth. This can best be trained if you are just petting the animal with the toothbrush. Just lift the dogs lips a bit while caressing.
Before you can brush your dog's teeth properly the dog must get used to toothpaste. Spread a small amount of toothpaste on a freshly washed finger and let the dog lick it off. This way the dog gets to know the taste of the toothpaste. Then you can gently rub the toothpaste on the dog's teeth. The next step is getting used to the toothbrush. Give the dog the opportunity to playfully familiarize itself with the brush.
​
​
This is how you brush your dog's teeth
Only when the animal willingly opens its mouth and lets itself be touched there, as well as getting used to toothpaste and toothbrush, you can start to brush your dog's teeth. Perform gentle massaging movements from the tooth tip to gum line. It's best to start with the front fangs and slowly work your way backwards. Only brush the dog's teeth as long as it permits, and do not force the animal to do anything. The front small incisors should be cleaned only at the end, because that is unpleasant for most dogs. Make sure that you do not exert too much pressure and thereby injure the sensitive gums. Of course, if you use an ultrasonic toothbrush to brush your teeth, there is no danger. Over time, when you brush your teeth, both your and your dog's routine becomes routine and dental care becomes a matter of course.
By routine dental cleaning you prevent diseases of the teeth and gums of your dog - and offer your pet the optimal care for its health.