Oral Hygiene
Description:
Dental disease is one of the most common concerns that veterinarians see in their patients. The best way to prevent dental disease is to routinely brush the dog’s teeth.
Frequency:
- Once a week
Supplies:
- Dog-specific toothbrush or child’s toothbrush with a compact head and extra soft bristles
- Dog-only enzymatic toothpaste
- Treats
Guidelines:
- Add about a pea-sized amount of toothpaste onto the head of the toothbrush.
- Get the dog into a calm and comfortable position and reward with a treat with one of your hands, take your thumb and push up on the upper lip to expose the canine teeth and first few molars.
- Lightly press the toothbrush on the upper canine near the gum line.
- The dog may slightly naw on the toothbrush - this is normal.
- Use smooth, circular, and broad strokes as you brush towards the back of their mouth.
- Focus on brushing the outside of the teeth near the gum line to facilitate the breakdown of debris and tartar.
- Once you complete the top half section, reward the dog with a treat and then move on to the same side lower section using the same technique of starting at the canine and moving backward.
- When complete with that section, reward the dog with a treat and move to the other half of the mouth and use the same technique.
Helpful Tips and Tricks:
- Use a positive happy voice to give the dog encouragement. “Good dog!”
- You may need to utilize an additional person to keep the dog still.
- Practice makes perfect. Practice getting the dog used to the toothbrush and the motions.
- For troubleshooting, please contact your Client Services Coordinator.
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