Many pet owners underestimate the importance of regularly cleaning their dog’s teeth, leading to serious periodontal disease issues like tooth decay and extreme pain. Leveraging our extensive canine dental care experience, this guide shares how often you should clean your dog’s teeth and proper teeth cleaning practices to improve your dog’s dental health.
How Often Should You Clean Your Dog’s Teeth at Home?
While daily brushing is ideal for every dog to keep the teeth clean, aim for at least two to three times a week to maintain dental hygiene and prevent the onset of gum disease. Older dogs and smaller breeds require more frequent cleanings due to their higher susceptibility to dental problems.
Canine dental care varies based on factors like age, breed size, and lifestyle. Our commitment to preventive care helps us identify the ideal frequency for brushing your pet’s teeth to avoid dental plaque buildup and expensive dental procedures.
How to Determine Your Dog’s Teeth Cleaning Needs
The recommended toothbrushing frequency for dogs is daily, although your dog should at least be getting their teeth cleaned twice or three times a week. Our veterinarians tailor teeth-cleaning advice to each dog’s unique needs based on these factors:
Age
Older dogs, especially those over the age of seven, tend to require increased attention for their teeth and more frequent dental cleanings. Your dog’s first teeth cleaning session should happen any time between two-three years of age. Smaller dogs are usually at a higher risk of dental diseases, which is why some of them may need teeth cleaning at an earlier age.
Breed and Size
Larger dogs might not need as frequent brushing as smaller dogs because small dogs are more prone to dental problems. Retained baby teeth and shallow tooth roots increase gum tissue vulnerability. Teeth in small mouths cause overcrowding, which could potentially lead to loose teeth.
Small dogs weighing around 14 to 19 pounds are five times more likely to get diagnosed with periodontal disease. Pugs, shih tzus, and bulldogs are flat-faced breeds more prone to dental issues. Meanwhile, larger dogs are prone to tooth fractures from strong chewing habits.
Lifestyle
The frequency of your dog’s dental cleaning largely depends on their lifestyle and at-home dental health routines. Regular tooth brushing, feeding dry food, or a dental-friendly diet can help maintain your dog’s oral cavity health, potentially extending the intervals between professional cleanings.
Dogs who aren’t keen chewers and eat mostly soft food may require more frequent professional dental cleanings. These factors can accelerate how quickly periodontal disease progresses in the oral cavity.
How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth to Avoid Dental Disease
Most dogs may not be comfortable with brushing their teeth. Besides getting them comfortable with brushing their teeth while they are young pups, here are some other things you can do to make teeth cleaning a safer and comfortable experience for you and your dog:
1. Choose the Right Time
Consider brushing your pet’s teeth before going to bed or after a walk. It’s best to let your dog relax before the dental cleaning.
2. Get the Right Supplies
Opt for a pet-friendly toothbrush and toothpaste, which is safe to swallow as they do not contain foaming agents.
For small dogs, try to brush with a toothbrush that fits on your finger’s end to make maneuvering in their mouth easy. Larger dogs respond well to bigger toothbrushes with handles as they make reaching the back of their mouth easier.
3. Be Gentle and Conduct Some Test Runs
Try to familiarize your dog with the toothbrush. Rub a wipe or your finger along their gums and teeth to get your dog used to having a brush in their mouth.
Avoid brushing your pet’s teeth quickly. Instead, begin slowly and make sure they’re comfortable with you touching their teeth and gums, as well as lifting their lips.
4. Position Yourself Comfortably
When you try to clean your dog’s teeth, you may notice them squirm and even move away. Sit next to larger pups and wrap your arm around their head when brushing their teeth.
For smaller pups, sit next to them or wrap them in a towel and bring them closer to your side by wrapping your arm around their body. This helps keep them still.
5. Brush the Teeth at the Gum Line
For at least two minutes, brush the teeth back and forth with the bristles pointing at a 45-degree angle toward the gums. While opening your dog’s mouth, focus on where their gum line meets their teeth.
Also, focus on their back teeth because this is where tartar and plaque accumulate. Target this area with circular motions. Strike the right balance between being too gentle and brushing too hard.
6. Check for Injuries
Look for signs of discomfort, lip injuries, or tooth pain. It could be a sign of an illness, like bleeding gums, if your dog pulls away or cries when you touch a certain area.
7. Take Breaks and Offer Rewards
Take short breaks by stroking your pet’s jowl or patting the head. Let your dog relax and give treats as a reward for good behavior.
Your dog will get more comfortable and even love the process if you associate tooth brushing with a reward. Once your pup realizes the dental procedure can be tasty and fun, they may get more accustomed to the process.
What Happens if You Don’t Get Your Dog’s Teeth Cleaned?
About 84% of dogs develop periodontal disease around three years of age. As the bacteria and tartar build up in their teeth, your dog may suffer from:
- Teeth loss
- Broken or fractured teeth
- Deformed permanent teeth
- Gum inflammation
- Mouth pain
- Bad breath
- Excessive, involuntary drooling
A simple oral problem overlooked can cause long-term issues with your dog’s well-being. When left untreated, dental diseases may prompt a tooth extraction or surgery.
Dogs need dental cleaning to prevent tooth decay, dental damage, and oral health problems. Commit to getting your dog’s teeth cleaned regularly and going for a once-a-year dental cleaning and checkup with a veterinarian.
What Is the Professional Dental Cleaning Process?
Beyond daily brushing, it’s advisable to schedule annual physical examinations, including a thorough professional teeth-cleaning process in dogs. As we closely monitor vital signs, dental X-rays can detect dental issues like root abscesses or early-stage periodontal disease.
- Anesthesia: Veterinarians recommend general anesthesia for dog dental cleanings, guaranteeing a stress-free, thorough teeth-cleaning process.
- Pre-cleaning blood tests: To identify your dog’s oral health issues that require treatments.
- Comprehensive cleaning: Perform dental x-rays to detect hidden issues like fractures, abscesses, or periodontal disease. Remove plaque and tartar and polish teeth.
- Post-cleaning dental care: Monitor anesthesia recovery. Provide soft food temporarily.
How to Give Good Oral Care Aside From Dog Dental Cleanings?
Aside from daily brushing, you can keep your furry friend’s teeth and gums healthy with the right diet, dental treats, toys, and wellness plans.
1. Provide a Balanced Diet
To clean your pet’s teeth without having to brush everyday, add healthy teeth-cleaning foods to their diet to scrape plaque off your puppy’s teeth. Food additives or coconut oil can kill the bacteria that cause gum diseases.
2. Find Alternatives
When your dog doesn’t want their teeth brushed, there are products you can use to prevent pet dental disease. There are effective gels, wipes, and water additives that target biofilm, the major cause of dental decay.
3. Give Dental Chews or Treats
Dogs need dental chews as some contain enzymes that clean the mouth. Opt for dental care products approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Such products have been screened by a professional for dangerous additives that could impact your dog’s dental health and cause deformed permanent teeth.
4. Supervise Chew Toys and Time
Pick chew toys made of soft, flexible materials to protect their teeth and gums. You also need to consider the toy’s size to prevent choking hazards.
5. Invest in Pet Wellness Plans
Most pet insurance policies only cover illnesses and accidents, not dental care. Look for wellness plans to cover the costs of teeth cleaning or other dental procedures.
Related Questions
How to Clean a Dog’s Mouth Naturally?
To make dental cleaning more natural, incorporate crunchy fruits and vegetables like carrots, apples, and pumpkin slices into your dog’s diet, as their fibrous texture helps scrape plaque off their teeth. You can also rub coconut oil onto their gums as it has antibacterial properties that combat gum diseases.
Are You Supposed to Brush Your Dog’s Adult Teeth Every Day?
It’s ideal to brush your dog’s teeth regularly to maintain your dog’s oral health and prevent dental issues like plaque buildup and periodontal disease. When daily brushing isn’t possible, aim for at least two to three times a week, especially for smaller breeds or older dogs to keep the gums and teeth healthy.
What Food Cleans Dogs’ Teeth?
Foods that can clean your pet’s teeth include meats, fruits, such as apples, and vegetables like carrots and pumpkin slices. Quality foods will nourish your dog’s body and strengthen their teeth.
Conclusion
Frequent teeth cleanings, ideally daily or at least two to three times a week, significantly reduce the risk of dental diseases, keeping your dog’s mouth healthy and pain-free. You should also schedule a yearly professional dental cleaning done by a veterinarian to prevent tooth decay, dental damage, and health problems.