4Dog.info Index Links Guestbook Tell a Friend Search Dog Teeth Care Dog teeth need the same care and attention as do ours. They are subject to plaque, gingivitis and periodontal disease. There is even talk that bad teeth bacteria get in the bloodstream and contribute to heart and other internal ailments. Daily Brushing - the #1 thing you can do. It takes training but dogs learn to tolerate it (some love the toothpaste and come running when they see the toothbrush box). We even trained one to allow a compact head Sonicare. Use a soft bristled brush, small child toothbrushes work well for toy breeds. Young dogs may prefer a finger toothbrush . Don't use human toothpaste, it foams too much and not designed to be swallowed. We like the results from C.E.T. toothpaste. Remember, your dogs teeth have a inside surface; all areas need brushing. Bleeding gums should trigger a vet visit and may indicate not enough regular brushing. Food - a good quality dry food is better for the teeth. Chewing dry food helps scrub the teeth and there is less sticky food residue that invites decay than wet food. Special dental cleaning dog food is available like Science Diet Canine Adult Oral Care and Nutro Dental, we use it in place of dog treats     Veterinary Care - professional evaluation and cleaning should be done at least annually. February is National Pet Dental Health month, many vets run special promotions at this time. Dental Aids: Oral rinses like CET Oral Rinse help keep bacteria down. Use it on days when brushing is not possible Drinking water additives like Petkin Oral Care Formula help fight tarter and improves breath Dental Chews, Dental Floss Chew and Dental Kong gently remove food debris and tarter when chewed. Rawhide chews also clean teeth but require 100% supervision as we know dogs who died from choking on rawhide chews. Dental treats are another aid (use in moderation, see treats & food). We use individual nuggets of Science Diet Canine Adult Oral Care as a treat. Another popular dental treat is Greenies Other Resources: Pet Dental Petmeds education on Tarter Control and Dental Disease Dog Tooth Cleaning - Dog Training   by john Williams Dog tooth cleaning is essential for your dog's dental hygiene and after your dog reaches the age of two to three years plus, dog tooth cleaning will become more and more essential as your dog grows up. Every time your dog has a bowl of food or some treats (some treats help with cleaning teeth) some of the food gets stuck around the gums and mouth of the dog. This food then turns into plaque and after staying there for a short period of time of about one to three days, this plaque turns into tartar which is a key element in gum and mouth diseases which can put your dog in a lot f pain. To combat these diseases you will need to get rid of the plaque and you do this in much the same way as us humans do it, witch is by brushing them. Dogs are a little bit trickier to deal with than humans so training will be needed. First you need to get your dog to sit using the commands learnt at www.dog-behavior-training. If you cannot do this yet then it should be taught first. Start by gently breaking your dog into the habit of you playing with their teeth and around the mouth area by rubbing a tasty nice tasting treat around the teeth and mouth, if your dog acts well and lets you do it you should reward him/her for their patience with a treat every time. After your dog is comfortable with you playing with their teeth, start to do the same but with dog toothpaste so they get used to the taste and sensation. When you and your dog are comfortable with you using your finger instead of a toothbrush its time to make the swap to the real thing. To brush effectively you should move the dog toothbrush in circular motions to dislodge plaque and start from the back teeth working your way to the front, don't be too rough with your dog and always try to keep it fun for them and you shouldn't have too many problems. John Williams website owner For more information on dog behavior training visit the dog-behavior-training.co.uk website at this link...Dog Training.   Thank you for using 4Dog Info for information on Dog Teeth Care.