Always keep the teeth clean is a good practice for dog's health. Many studies have shown that disease in the gums, teeth, and mouth can travel through the body, primarily through the bloodstream, and can affect other organs. One study in particular found a direct link between a dirty mouth and heart disease in older dogs.
For tools you can use a child’s small toothbrush and some baking soda. Although there are toothpastes made specifically for dogs, sometimes these taste too good, and it’s tough to keep the dog’s tongue out of the way—he’s trying to eat the toothpaste!
Don’t use toothpaste made for people; the taste is much too strong for dogs, and not all the ingredients have been tested for safety on dogs.
- Before you begin, mix a little baking soda (maybe a tablespoon) with just enough water to make a paste. You will dip the toothbrush in this paste and use it as you would toothpaste.
- Invite your dog to sit in front of you or in your lap, depending on her size. You can wrap a towel around her neck or drape it over your lap.
- Dip the toothbrush in the dampened baking soda, lift your dog’s lips on one side of her muzzle, and gently begin brushing as you steady her head with your other hand.
- Every few strokes, pick up some more baking soda.
If your dog is very unhappy with this process, stop after brushing the outside of the teeth of onequarter of her mouth. Offer her a drink of water, and then tell her how brave she is and what a wonderful dog she is. Later, or even the next day, you can do some more. Gradually, by doing a little each day, you can get the entire mouth cleaned and, at the same time, get her used to this necessary chore.
Some dog owners have found battery-powered toothbrushes with moveable heads to be very
effective. They make it easier to remove plaque build-up from their dogs’ teeth. Wait until your
dog is used to the teeth-cleaning process, though, before introducing a moving toothbrush, as some dogs are very sensitive to the sound of it.
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