Doggy dental care is such an important part of pet ownership, but it can feel mystifying – especially to first-time owners. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to dog teeth cleaning; in which we cover common canine dental problems, the best brushing techniques, and our recommendations for the chews and toys designed with dental healthcare in mind. Taking care of your dog’s teeth will be a walk in the park with our great range of dental care treatments, and you needn’t feel lost ever again once you’ve read our handy guide!
How Many Teeth Do Dogs Have?
Puppies have approximately 28 milk teeth, which will start to fall out when they’re around 8 weeks old. Don’t worry if they seem to magically disappear – most puppies swallow their milk teeth as they eat, which is completely harmless.
It’s a good idea to start your puppy with a dental regime, even though their milk teeth are unlikely to develop any issues, as familiarising them with teeth brushing at a young age will make future dental care much easier.
After your puppy’s teeth fall out, their adult teeth will start to develop. Adult dogs have 42 teeth in total: 20 on the top jaw, and 22 on the bottom, which requires you to maintain a consistent oral hygiene regime.
How to Brush a Dog’s Teeth
Now you know how important dog dental care is, you might be wondering how to brush your dog’s teeth to keep them sparkling and healthy. Our step-by-step guide will ensure you get it right:
Find a quiet time and place and try to calm your dog down as much as possible. If your dog is small enough, sit them on your lap with their head facing out. If larger, sit side by side on a chair or another even surface.
Begin by rubbing a soft cloth over the surface of the teeth, using a back-and-forth motion, focusing on the area where the gum touches the tooth’s surface. If your pet is nervous or unsure, just rub the cloth along a few teeth instead of the whole mouth, to familiarise them with the sensation.
Next, let them taste a small amount of pet toothpaste, like the one from Beaphar Advanced Liver Toothpaste for Dogs, from your finger. Never use human toothpaste – it’s not meant to be swallowed and can upset your pooch’s stomach, or even make them ill.
Once your dog is familiar with the motion and the taste, you can incorporate a toothbrush.
Raise your dog’s lip with your free hand to expose the teeth you’re brushing. You might need to tilt their head, which you can support with your lap or arm. Don’t worry about trying to brush anywhere but the outer surface of the teeth, as their tongue tends to remove much of the plaque from the inner surfaces of the teeth anyway. Spend approximately 30 seconds per side and remember to always be gentle and go slowly to avoid irritating their gums!
The Best Dog Dental Toys
Dog dental toys are the perfect way to upkeep your dog’s mouth hygiene whilst adding an element of fun into their dental care regime. Choose the TastyBone Lamb Nylon Trio Bone to keep their gums and teeth strong and healthy and fight tooth infection.
Alternatively, the Smart Choice Dental Rubber Dog Toy has a textured surface which removes tartar when they chew continuously, as well as strengthening the jaw, promoting the secretion of saliva and eliminating bad breath.
Another popular option is the Whimzees Hedgehog dental health chews, which are low in fat and high in fibre, aiding digestion as well as contributing to good dental hygiene. Expanding your dog’s toy collection keeps them entertained and active, and incorporating dental chew toys makes maintaining healthy teeth and gums a fun part of their daily life.
Do Dog Chews for Teeth Work?
Dog food diets don’t typically provide dogs with enough jawbone stimulation, and as dogs feel a natural urge to chew, dog chews satisfy their requirements perfectly.
They’ve also been proven to effectively reduce the presence of oral bacteria in dogs by up to 60%, which is why we offer such an extensive range of dog chews. We recommend only giving dogs older than 6 months dental chews, as they might damage or pull out developing teeth.
Making chews like the Pedigree Dentastix a fun part of your pooch’s day promotes good oral hygiene, as well as providing a tasty treat. Encouraging your dog to chew is a pro-active way to combat plaque build-up - but do be wary of exclusively giving them edible chews, as they usually go down too fast to provide long-term benefits to the teeth!
These top tips and tricks will help you care for your dog’s teeth, ensuring they stay in tip-top condition and keeping your pooch as healthy and happy as possible. Dog dental care has never been easier – shop our range today and get that tail wagging!
What Are the Most Common Dental Problems in Dogs?
By far the most common canine dental problem is the build-up of plaque, which can accumulate until it hardens into a brown substance called tartar. Tartar contains bacteria which can inflame the gums and cause gingivitis, which may enter the bloodstream; potentially causing problems in organs like the kidneys, heart and liver.
Tartar can also result in very painful tooth root abscesses, where bacteria spread underneath the gum, resulting in swelling and extreme sensitivity. Leaving tartar untreated risks tooth loss, which ultimately inhibits your dog’s ability to eat.
It's worth noting that canine teeth are very solid and don’t crack easily! When they do, it’s usually because they’ve been weakened by an inconsistent dental care regime or through trauma. Damaged teeth are often extremely painful and vulnerable to infection, so keep an eye out for loss of appetite, red, swollen or bleeding gums, excessive drooling, bloody saliva, foul breath and tooth discolouration.
Although tooth chattering is a common behavioural quirk when dogs are excited, it can also be indicative of broken teeth, cavities, and gum disease - which all require treatment to ensure your dog’s comfort and wellbeing. Don’t worry though - the vast majority of canine dental problems can be avoided with a strong care routine, which is easily incorporated into everyday life.
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