Canine Dental Care Tips

Canine dental care is most effective, if you brush your dog's teeth at least once daily.

If you begin to clean your canine's teeth, try to get him used to the procedure first.

Your dog might need a bit of time to accept the toothbrush or the paste and

sometimes you will not be able to start right away with a brush at all.

Avoid Using Human Toothpaste

Instead of human oral hygiene products use dog toothpaste, as it can be swallowed and will not cause gastrointestinal problems.

For the start use a fingercloth or silicon fingerbrush and introduce toothcleaning to your dog repeatedly and gradually.

• Let your dog first settle and let him have a lick of the toothpaste or oral hygiene gel you will use.

• Place your hand on your dog's muzzle gently.

• Gently and carefully push the upper lip in between the teeth – this holds the mouth open. It also prevents from chewing on the toothbrush many dogs do to start with.

• Place and gently press the toothbrush onto the rows of teeth and rub the toothbrush back and forwards in circulating movements to clean the teeth and remove plaque.

• Always clean both upper and lower jaws and both sides of the mouth.

• Don’t forget to reward your pet for having its teeth cleaned. You could give dental sticks or other tooth care biscuits afterwards, so your pet will associate the procedure with a nice experience.

 

Dental disease is the most common infectious disease of pets. Helping to prevent it will help to prevent bad breath, painful gum disease and tooth root problems or even the loss of teeth. It will also help to prevent problems with heart, kidney and other internal diseases in later life.

If you manage to brush your canine's teeth regularly and use a sensible diet your dog's mouth can stay healthy for a long time in his life.

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September 2009 is "Pet Smile Month" again.

Ask your Veterinary Practice, if they joined the program of making pet owners aware of canine dental care and pet dental health.

Register here for your free online dog health diary to get automatically reminders sent directly into your inbox from your own vet practice for important appointments, such as annual vaccinations, worming, weight checks and more!

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