The Importance of Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth
Dental Disease
Dental disease is very common in dogs so keeping your dog's teeth clean is extremely important. There are a few ways that you can support your dog's dental care such as dental chews and the correct diet, but brushing your dog's teeth is the best way to help reduce plaque build-up and support their dental hygiene.
Over 80% of dogs have dental disease by the age of 3! That's right 80%! So taking care of your dog's teeth is an important part of their life. The best time to start brushing your dog's teeth is when they are puppies, this gives them time to get used to the brush being in their mouth and ideally daily cleaning is the best option.
How to clean your dog's teeth
- Start by getting your dog/puppy used to having the outside of their mouth touched by gently stroking or rubbing around the area until they feel comfortable.
- Now that your dog has got used to you touching the outside of their mouth, it's now time to start gently rubbing the inside of the gums and teeth. Teeth wipes are good for this as it's more hygienic for you and the wipes also contain teeth cleaning properties. Remember to remain patient and to keep rewarding your dog throughout the process.
- Once your dog is happy with their mouth being touched, you can start using a dog toothbrush or a dog fingerbrush (human toothbrushes can be harsh on the dog's teeth). The same as step number 2, gently rub the brush along the teeth getting your dog used to the bristles of the brush.
- The last step is to apply doggy toothpaste. Add a small amount of dog toothpaste to your finger and let your dog get used to the taste. Remember never to use human toothpaste as it contains ingredients unsuitable for dogs. Then, when your dog is used to the taste of the toothpaste, add the brush and start cleaning.
Top 3 Dental Products
Bugalugs Dental Plaque Remover
Bugalugs Plaque Remover is made from harvested Irish Seaweed that when added to your dog's food, helps to remove plaque and tartar build-up. Irish Seaweed is also rich in calcium, vitamins and minerals for overall dental health. Please note that if your dog has a thyroid condition, this product is not recommended.
Suitable for both puppies and adult dogs, the Arm & Hammer Dental Kit features a unique toothbrush with 360° bristles to help break down plaque and tartar from all angles and the toothpaste polishes and whitens the teeth and freshens bad breath. The kit also contains a finger brush that is great for starting out.
Anco provides a range of natural dental treats including Camel Braids. Camel is great for dogs with sensitivities, it is low in fat and the chewing action helps to brush off any tartar and plaque build-up. Available in 2 sizes, they are suitable for all sizes of dogs.
Millbry Hill understands the importance of dental hygiene for your dog and have curated a selection of products that aim to ease the stress and time taken to undertake your dog's oral hygiene. You can find many of these dental products together with other healthcare and grooming products on our website.
