Dental care for your dog is an important facet of keeping your pet healthy. Periodontal disease, caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar, is one of the leading causes of canine health problems. Proper dental care for your dog includes regular visits to the vet for thorough cleaning and daily (or at least several times weekly) brushing at home. Proper nutrition also plays a role in good dental care. Poor dental health can lead to serious diseases that can spread throughout your dog’s body.

Your veterinarian should check and, if necessary, clean your dog’s teeth at least once a year. If your dog has not had proper dental care in the past, most extensive or more frequent visits may be needed. During a vet’s dental examination, your dog may be anesthetized. Be sure to follow your vet’s instructions about any needed fasting the night before the visit, to keep your dog safe under anesthesia. The vet will use special tools to remove the plaque and tartar that has built up on your dog’s teeth, and then lightly polish the teeth. Your dog will need a little time to recover from the anesthesia and may require a special meal that evening; your vet will give you instructions.

To maintain dental care for your dog between vet cleanings, it is important to brush his teeth regularly. Although this may not sound like an appealing task, most dogs adjust to regular brushing; it just takes some coaxing and praise from their human companions. Take your time and be very patient with your dog while he adjusts to this new process. You may want to start by simply running your finger around your dog’s lips a few times a day, and then gradually move to massaging his gums. Do not rush this process; it may take several days or even a few weeks to get this far. Eventually, you can move on to a soft brush that fits over the tip of your finger, although some dogs prefer dog toothbrushes with handles, to keep their humans’ hands out of their mouth. Give your dog time to adjust to the brush; you may want to dip the tip of the toothbrush in a tiny bit of canned food at first. Gradually switch from a plain brush to one with toothpaste. Always use specially formulated toothpaste for dogs; never use human toothpaste.

Good dental care for your dog means brushing her teeth every day, but even brushing only a few times a week will be helpful in maintaining good oral health. Feed your dog hard chews or specially formulated dental treats between brushings, to help remove plaque from his teeth. More than just keeping his teeth clean, good dental care for your dog is an important part of his overall health.