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A Guide to Dog Dental Care
Did you know that 90% of dogs develop gum disease by age 2? Surprisingly, many dog owners won’t even realise it!
Dental Disease (also known as Periodontal Disease) is the most common condition affecting dogs in the UK. This caused by the buildup of plaque and tartar on your dog's teeth. Periodontal disease can cause your dog pain, tooth loss, stinky breath, and can even affect their heart and kidney’s.
That’s why it’s crucial to take dog dental care seriously by brushing their teeth regularly to prevent plaque and tartar build-up. Within this dog dental care guide, we will explore how you can keep your dog’s teeth healthy.
Suki featuring Dogs Life Dental Kit Products
What are the signs of poor dog dental care?
Before we get started, you should recognise the signs indicating poor dental hygiene in dogs. These include:
Bleeding gums
Bad breath
Teeth discolouration
Difficulty eating
Pus and abscesses
Broken teeth
Excessive saliva
If your dog shows any of these symptoms, you should treat them as soon as possible. Vets and nurses will be able to advise you on what treatment will be best for your pup. So don’t hesitate to contact them.
How to brush your dog's teeth effectively
To avoid the dreaded dog gum disease, vets recommend you brush your pup's teeth daily. To do this, you’ll need a special toothpaste for dogs, a toothbrush, and a bit of patience. Never give your dog human toothpaste as they contain chemicals that are toxic to them.
For an easier way, here's a step by step guide on how to effectively introduce brushing your dog's teeth:
Step 1: Stroke your dog’s cheek gently so they get used to your hand being near their mouth. Continue this for the next 2-3 days before starting Step 2.
Step 2: Introduce the doggy toothpaste on your finger and allow your dog to lick.
Step 3: When your dog shows they like the toothpaste, gently run your finger along the inside of their mouth following the line of their gum.
Step 4: If your dog is comfortable with this, after a few days you can introduce the toothbrush. Place dog toothpaste on the toothbrush and allow your dog to lick. (But don’t get hasty, we are not putting the toothbrush in their mouth just yet!)
Step 5: If your dog is comfortable licking the toothbrush, the following day you can try to brush their teeth. Start gently and make gentle round motions on their front teeth. Stop regularly to allow your dog to lick the toothbrush as you can use the toothpaste as a reward.
Step 6: Once your dog is happy with you brushing their front teeth, you can move on to the back ones. Like Step 5, keep repeating the stopping and starting process.
There you have it! It may take your furry friend up to 3 weeks to get used to having their teeth brushed. But it’s worth it in the long run! After a few weeks you should be able to brush their teeth with no fuss.
If your poor doggo is already showing signs of significant dental disease, avoid tooth brushing as their mouth will be sensitive. Similarly, it’s best to avoid brushing the teeth of puppy’s who are teething as they’ll also be sensitive to dog dental care products.
Must have dog dental care products for optimum tooth cleaning
As we are on the subject of brushing teeth, you may be wondering what the best dog dental care products are. To get started, we recommend using the Dog Dental Care Kit. It includes a Natural Aloe Vera & Peppermint Toothpaste and a Triple Headed Brush for the best possible cleaning. The dental kit works for puppy and adult teeth, tested to remove plaque and combat bad breath in dogs.
Other recommended dog dental care products are:
Deep Cleaning Dental Silicone Finger Dog Brushes: These toothbrushes help dogs fight tooth decay, remove plaque, and prevent bad breath. They have soft bristles and a textured surface for thorough cleaning and comfort. Suitable for puppies and adult dogs.
Kiss Me Dental Spray for Dogs: An edible dental spray that slows and combats tartar buildup, reducing tooth stains. Great for clean teeth and healthy gums in dogs!
Plaque and Tartar Dental Powder: An innovative formula with a scrummy chicken flavour your dog will love! This 100% plant-based dental powder will ensure your dog’s teeth are healthier and free of plaque and tartar. Just mix a scoop of the powder with your dog's food, letting them clean their teeth while enjoying their meal. Genius!
Dental Wipes for Dogs: The perfect dog tooth wipes! Soaked in Aloe Vera & Peppermint, every dental wipe naturally freshens dog breath and removes tartar and plaque. Even better, you can use them on dogs of all sizes – including puppies!
How dog dental chews and toys influence good dog dental care
In addition to toothbrushing, dog dental care chews and toys are great to influence good dog dental care. Did you know that a dog with good dental hygiene can live years longer than one with poor dental health? That's why taking care of your dog's teeth is so essential.
Dog dental care toys and chews can help to reduce plaque and tartar on your dog’s teeth. In fact, dog dental care treats can reduce plaque by nearly 70%! They have a design that reduces plaque, maintains strong teeth, and decreases bad breath.
Dental dog chews are great for mental stimulation. When dogs have something to chew on, this helps to prevent boredom especially if you are not currently at home. Plus, this helps prevent them from chewing on things they shouldn't, like your favourite slippers!
Dog Dental Care Chews and Toys from WOOOF
Luckily, at WOOOF we have a variety of dog dental care chews and toys for you to choose from. We recommend Whimzees Dental Chews for their all-natural ingredients. They also come in different sizes, from small to large. The Whimzees variety box chews come in the shapes of dental sticks, toothbrushes, and alligators. Their design means they are great at fighting plaque, tartar and help blood flow through the gums.
Some more dog dental care products we recommend are:
Lily’s Kitchen Dog Woofbrush: Crafted with natural ingredients like parsley, coconut oil, and fennel for a proper good clean! Lily’s Kitchen Dog Woofbrush features a tasty chewy and bubbly texture that reaches the gum line and fights plaque. Available in a range of different sizes, these chews are great for any size dog. Including 6-month-old puppies.
Insects for Pets Dental Sticks: These dental sticks contain insect protein that effectively prevents plaque and tartar in dogs. Plus, believe it or not, insects have great nutritional value for our furry canines and are sustainable!
Nylabone Dura Chew X-Bone for Dogs: A chew toy that dogs truly love! It features four textured ends that help clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath during a chew session.
We hope that this handy guide to dog dental care helps you with protecting your dog from plaque and tartar. Ensuring that their teeth and gums remain healthy.
To see some of the best plaque fighting dog dental care products we have available, check out the product reel below.