Important Tools To Have When Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth
Taking care of your dog's mouth and teeth is essential. As a pet owner, it is up to you to make sure that your dog receives dog dental cleanings. In order to get started, there are some important tools that you will need.
A Dog Toothbrush
The most basic, yet most important tool to have on hand is a toothbrush that has been made specifically for dogs. You can choose the correct size of toothbrush, depending on how big your dog is. These toothbrushes generally have a narrow handle and a flexible head of bristles. This allows you to maneuver the toothbrush into all areas of your dog's mouth and effectively brush their teeth. Some toothbrushes even come as a finger attachment, which gives you optimal control of where you are brushing. However, if you are brushing a dog that may bite, this method is not advised. For optimal teeth health, you should brush your dog's teeth once each day, but if this isn't possible, try for at least three days each week. If you have any questions on how to brush your dog's teeth, or if you don't want to do it by yourself the first time, your dog's veterinarian is a great resource.
Flavored Dog Toothpaste
It is important that you use toothpaste that is specially formulated for dogs when brushing their teeth. The main ingredient in most dog toothpastes is baking soda. This is an excellent cleaning agent, and is used in a lot of human toothpastes as well because it is so effective. A certain flavoring component, such as a beef or chicken bouillon cube, is also added to the paste to give it a dog-friendly flavor. Some dog toothpastes even contain some kind of natural freshening ingredient, such as mint leaves. This combination is 100% safe for your dog and is also very effective at cleaning them as well.
Stainless Steel Dental Tools
When you've gone into the dentist, you have likely noticed some of the stainless steel dental tools that are used to clean your teeth. These tools generally include a scraper, a scaler, and a mirror. These same tools can be purchased for you to use on your dog. This helps you to remove some of the tartar and plaque that builds up on your dog's teeth overtime. The mirror is excellent for seeing areas at the back of your dog's mouth that are otherwise difficult to see. While these tools don't replace brushing, they are a wonderful supplement to brushing.
With the help of these tools, and consistency, you can help ensure that your dog has healthy teeth and gums.
