You’re a good fur kid parent and put a lot of thought into keeping them healthy – you feed them quality food, take them for walks, brush their coat, trim their nails on a regular basis; but how often, if ever, do you clean your their teeth? Don’t feel bad; oral hygiene is an often-overlooked but important factor in your dog's overall health – ‘out of sight out of mind’.

The problem is that plaque builds up on canine teeth and over time, a build-up of plaque can lead to a painful inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis. Dogs with gingivitis may have red, inflamed gums that bleed easily, and you may also notice bad breath. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis.

Periodontitis can cause destruction to the connective tissues surrounding the tooth and can also damage the bone. Most concerning, however, is the detrimental effects periodontitis can have on your dog’s heart, kidneys and liver. The good news? Most of these problems are preventable with regular dental cleaning at home, which in turn will cut down to the number of times you have to take them to the vet, for a sedative clean.

Getting things started

Just like it is with your own teeth, over time your dog’s teeth get a build-up of plaque that needs to be removed on a regular basis. Most experts agree that daily brushing is ideal, but if that's unrealistic, aim for three to four times per week. And don't be an overachiever - if your pup's patience only lasts for you to brush half the teeth today and the other half tomorrow, that's fine.

Most dogs take some time getting used to someone poking around in their mouth, so getting started can take time and may require a bit of patience from you, and some healthy treats. Don't expect your dog to sit and open wide. Depending on its age, breed and patience, it can take several days to several weeks to gain your dog’s cooperation. Don't rush it. Make sure you have good lighting so you can see what you’re doing, and make sure you and your dog are in a relaxed environment, both of you must be comfortable.

Spend some time handling your dog’s mouth. Massage the lips with your finger in a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds once or twice a day for a few weeks. Then move on to their teeth and gums. Turn your finger into a treat by dabbing something tasty on it like peanut butter. Let your dog lick at your finger, while you gently rub his teeth and gums. Re-apply the tasty treat as needed, trying to move his lips aside to expose more of the teeth. The idea is ultimately to get your fur kids to be comfortable with having their teeth rubbed, front teeth and side teeth – all the way to the back of their mouth.

When your dog seems comfortable being touched this way, start putting a little bit of dog-formulated toothpaste on their lips to get used to the taste. Never use human toothpaste as it may contain ingredients like xylitol, which is toxic to dogs and should be avoided; it may also contain abrasives and detergent that your dog shouldn't ingest.

Start introducing your preference of doggie toothbrush. You can also use a finger brush, a small soft child's toothbrush, dog tooth wipes or even a clean piece of gauze wrapped around your finger. All of these will do a good job but it’s up to you and your dog to find the happy choice.

How to brush

1. Hold the upper lip up. Brush the front teeth in a circular motion at 45 degrees to the teeth – don’t forget to praise.
2. Slowly move to the side and back teeth in the same circular motion.
3. Now move to the bottom teeth, starting in the front again.
4. If your pooch is tolerating the brushing, you can try brushing the inside of the teeth. The inside of the teeth will be a little harder to brush, so if necessary, work on adding this step after your pooch is calm with the outsides of the upper and lower teeth being brushed. If they don’t take to it, don’t stress – only a small amount of tartar accumulates there.
5. Always remember to end on a positive note like with a healthy treat.
6. Once a week, with your pooch facing you, lift their lips and examine the gums and teeth. The gums should be pink, not white or red, and should show no signs of swelling. Their teeth should be clean, without any brownish tartar.

Additional Aid

Dental treats are a great option to aid in maintaining your dog’s teeth health and most dog’s will be happy to comply. Chew toys can help keep your dog’s teeth clean. A good long chew can help scrape away plaque and dirt. Stay away from extra hard toys as these can lead to dental fractures. Always choose rubber or nylon toys with a rough or bumpy surface, large enough so that it won't present a choking hazard.

One way of getting them to enjoy their chewing toy is to apply peanut butter in a thin layer around it, put in a container and freeze. Once frozen, give your dog the toy to lick and chew on. It works like magic and also gives you some time to do what you need to do. Dogs that do not enjoy chewing may have sore mouths, so check if you can. Otherwise they may be a candidate for special diets, chewy treats, water additives, or additional preventative measures.

Getting to know the Oral Diseases

As noted previously, not looking after your dog’s teeth can lead to numerous medical problems. Getting familiar with the possible mouth problems your dog may encounter will help you determine when it’s time to see a vet about treatment.

• Periodontal disease is a painful infection between the tooth and the gum that can result in tooth loss and spread infection to the rest of the body. Signs are loose teeth, bad breath, tooth pain, sneezing and nasal discharge.
• Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused mainly by accumulation of plaque, tartar and disease-producing bacteria above and below the gum line. Signs include bleeding, red swollen gums and bad breath. It is reversible with regular teeth cleanings.
• Halitosis - or bad breath - can be the first sign of a mouth problem and is caused by bacteria growing from food particles caught between the teeth. Regular teeth-brushings is a great solution.
• Swollen gums develop when tartar builds up and gets stuck between the teeth. Regularly brushing your dog’s teeth at home and getting annual cleanings at the vet can prevent tartar and gingivitis.
• Proliferating gum disease occurs when the gum grows over the teeth and must be treated to avoid gum infection. An inherited condition common to Boxers and Bull Terriers - it can be treated with antibiotics.
• Mouth tumours appear as lumps in the gums. Some are malignant and must be surgically removed.
• Salivary cysts look like large, fluid-filled blisters under the tongue, but can also develop near the corners of the jaw. They require drainage, and the damaged saliva gland must be removed.
• Canine distemper teeth can occur if a dog had distemper as a puppy. Adult teeth can appear looking eroded and can often decay. As damage is permanent, decayed teeth should be removed by a vet.

Give your dog the best chance of a pain free pearly white smile by regular teeth brushing. If you have any questions about caring for your dog's dental health, don't hesitate to reach out to one of Pet Direct's Customer Service Experts on 0800 200 240.