When it comes to dental hygiene it’s natural to consider ourselves and the closest human family we have. But what about our pups? There are tons of chews and toys in the stores that boast of promoting oral health, but is this really enough?
Unfortunately, it isn’t, but don’t worry! Your pups dental care routine isn’t nearly as extensive as our own! In fact, did you know that you can get by with just brushing your dog's teeth three times a week? While of course, more is always better, the reality of it, is that our pups don’t need an every day brushing routine to avoid a visit to the veterinarian for a professional cleaning! Whew!
So now that we have an idea of how often to brush our pups teeth, the next questions are what type of brush, what type of toothpaste, and ultimately how?
While there are special dog brushes on the market, a regular old toothbrush you get from the store or dentist will work just fine! Go with a soft bristle so as not to irritate the gums and make the brushing a bit more comfortable for your pup.
When looking at toothpaste, go with a doggy option that acts as an enzymatic cleaner. Don’t forget, dogs can’t spit! So giving them a human toothpaste with fluoride will not only taste odd to our pups, but it may upset their stomachs as well if they swallow too much. Finding a flavored enzymatic toothpaste is really the best way to encourage your pup to not only tolerate a brushing but enjoy it as well!
As a rule, the outsides of a dog's teeth are the places that tend to gather the most plaque and tartar. So you don’t need to worry about trying to fit a brush to the inside of the teeth! Simply pulling back the lips and doing a quick and gentle brushing on the outsides will go a long way in helping your pup's mouth feel and remain clean!
If you have a young pup who still has their puppy teeth, now is a fantastic time to start a healthy brushing routine!
Don’t worry if your pup already has some signs of tartar. Our goal with brushing isn’t necessarily to remove any tartar that is already present, but to prevent more from building up! If you find that your pup is a bit older and has some loose teeth, be sure to avoid these areas as we don’t want to cause any pain! Instead, focus on the healthy teeth and consider adding some HempMaxOil to the toothbrush to help with any inflammation or gum disease that may be present.
Regardless of your pups age or dental health status, it’s never too late to begin a brushing routine. If you find your pup has an excessive amount of tartar, be sure to consult your veterinarian!