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Canine Teeth Cleaning

Regular canine teeth cleaning is important for the health of your dog. Check out some simple ways and natural products that can make cleaning dogs teeth easy and stress-free.

Canine Teeth Cleaning

We all love a dog with clean teeth and sweet breath, and dog tooth cleaning only takes a few minutes a day. Keeping your dog's teeth clean can prevent not only dental and gum problems such as tartar and plaque build-up, but it can also prevent problems of the heart, liver, and kidneys.

This page introduces various ways of canine teeth cleaning, and some great natural products that can keep your dog's teeth clean and his breath fresh.

For information on common canine dental problems, and some natural remedies for canine gum disease, please visit our page on Canine Dental Care.

Canine Teeth Cleaning - Brushing Dog Teeth

Many people think that it is too much problem to brush their dog's teeth. Actually it does not take long - 2 minutes a day is all it takes. If you start getting your dog accustomed to tooth brushing when he is young, he probably will not put up too much resistance.

Brushing Dog Teeth - Five Points to Remember

  • Make tooth brushing fun for your dog.
  • The junction of tooth and gum is the most important area to brush.
  • Focus on upper outer molars.
  • Brushing tooth surfaces closest to the tongue is optional.
  • Keep introductory sessions short (5-10 seconds), and gradually work up to 2 minutes a day.

Easy Steps for Brushing Dog Teeth

  • To make toothbrushing fun and rewarding for your dog, introduce him to his toothpaste either on a treat or let him lick the toothpaste off the brush every day for a week.
  • Have your dog sit.
  • Massage or gently stroke his cheeks for several seconds.
  • Start with the upper lip, gently lift and pull back the upper lip so your dog looks as if he is "smiling".
  • For 5 seconds, brush one tooth gently and rhythmically from gum line down toward the tooth.
  • Next, gently lift and pull back the lower lip to create a "smile".
  • For 5 seconds, gently brush one tooth from the gum line up toward the tooth. That's it for the first day!
  • Over the next few days, gradually increase brushing time to 1 minute on the upper teeth, and 1 minute on the lower teeth.
  • Don't forget to praise your dog!

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Canine Teeth Cleaning - Dog Toothpaste

Canine Teeth Cleaning

Many dog parents wonder if they can use human toothpaste to brush their dog's teeth. The answer is No!

Why do we have to use dog toothpaste for our dogs? The reasons are:

  • Dogs do not spit so they swallow their toothpaste. However, human toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed.
  • Dogs should not have toothpastes with fluoride.
  • Human toothpaste foams because it contains sodium lauryl sulphate. Many dogs do not like the foam.

Dog toothpaste should contain enzymes that dissolve material on the teeth, such as glucose oxidase and lactoperoxidase. Some veterinarians, however, suggest not using dog toothpaste altogether because many brands of dog toothpaste are usually sweetened with sugar, so it can actually increase plaque with continued use. Also, the glycerin contained the toothpaste will stick to the teeth for a long time and cause food particles and bacteria to create plaque.

A more effective (and cheaper) alternative is to brush our dog's teeth with a combination of hydrogen peroxide, aloe vera juice (1:1) with a little bit of baking soda.

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Natural Canine Teeth Cleaning Products

While veterinarians always advocate brushing our dog's teeth, some dogs just can't stand having their teeth brushed. In particular, adopted dogs and adult dogs that did not get tooth brushing early on usually have a hard time letting people brush their teeth.

If your dog is one of those who put up resistance whenever you try to brush his teeth, don't despair! There are other natural dental products that can keep his teeth clean without brushing.

  • Choose a dental product that is formulated to reduce plaque build-up by combating the bacteria found in plaque. Usually these products are somewhat more expensive than a toothbrush and paste; however, they are well worth it if your dog has serious dental issues. The products are still much less pricey (and less risky) than having your dog's teeth professional cleaned which usually is done under anesthesia:

    Leba III Dental Spray makes an excellent and well-researched dental spray that removes plaque gently and easily, even with severe cases of plaque build-up. It works by stimulating enzymes found in saliva to change the chemistry in the mouth. This softens the tartar and eventually, after a few weeks, causes the plaque to wear away and the tartar to fall off.

    PetzLife Oral Care Dental Gel is another natural product that mixes with your dog's saliva when applied on his teeth, completely coating the teeth and the mouth. This process kills harmful bacteria and loosens plaque and tartar on tooth surfaces.
  • In addition to using a dental spray or gel, you can give special "treats" to your dog to help clean his teeth:

    Wysong Dentatreat is a a tasty, effective, natural dentifrice treat that can promote dental health by utilizing the scientifically-proven beneficial properties of cheeses, probiotics, minerals, and other natural ingredients. It can be sprinkled directly onto your dog's food.

    Ark Naturals Breath-Less Brushless Toothpaste is a chew treat with all natural ingredients but is especially formulated to clean dog's teeth - an edible toothpaste if you may!


As you can see, canine teeth cleaning does not have to be stressful for you or your dog. No matter which way you use to clean your dog's teeth, the most important thing is to be persistent and consistent.






Related Topics

Canine Dental Care
Dog Bad Breath
How to Groom A Dog

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