Who said that dogs don’t get cavities? They do and it can be just as serious and painful as it is for us humans. Compared to humans, however, dogs get cavities pretty rarely because their diet is not as rich in high-sugar and processed food as ours. But that does not mean you can get away with not brushing your pet’s teeth! Apart from cavities, the main dental problems you have to watch out for are gum disease and foul odor. Gum disease can cause severe pain and loss of teeth. Bad oral hygiene can also cause severe heart and kidney disease in your pet later on in their lifetime. Take care of your pet’s teeth early on by developing a routine of brushing and good oral hygiene. It might be inconvenient for you at times, but you will save your pet a world of pain later on.

The right way to brush your pet’s teeth is to start small and slow. Dogs don’t really like anyone putting their hands inside their mouth, even if it is their master. Just start a little bit each day and gradually work up to full mouth brushing.

Step #1- Try dipping your hands in something tasty like beef bouillon so that your dog gets accustomed to your hands inside his mouth.

Step #2- Let your pet lick your fingers as a treat for good behavior. Repeat this several times and your dog should get accustomed to the taste as well as the experience of having your fingers in his mouth. This will also teach him not to bite your fingers.

Steps #3- Gradually rub the bouillon on his gums and teeth while he’s licking your fingers. Once he’s accustomed to your fingers in his mouth, cover your fingers with a piece of gauze. Dip the gauze in bouillon and then use it to rub on his gums and teeth. Once he gets used to the gauze you can start using toothbrushes and a dental sponge. There are several different varieties of toothbrushes for pets that are available in the market. Just be sure that the bristles are soft enough so as not to hurt your pet’s gums.

Step # 4- Once your dog is used to the cleaning gauze, you should start using a teeth cleaning solution and a toothpaste. Dental toothpastes for pets are different in formulations with flavors like poultry and malt. Get your dog used to the flavor by rubbing the toothpaste on his gums. If he takes to it well, then try letting him lick it off your fingers and the toothbrush that you have bought for him. If he reacts positively to it, praise him for his good behavior and repeat this same process for several days.

Step #5- By following the abovementioned steps, your dog should eventually get accustomed to the toothbrush and toothpaste. Approach the tooth brushing session just like a play session. Teach your pet that brushing can be enjoyable and that it doesn’t have to be a chore. Start by rubbing the toothpaste on to his gums. Chat with your pet as you carry out the process and constantly praise him for being cooperative. Once he seems comfortable with the process, start brushing his canine teeth in both upper and lower jaws. Clean two teeth at a time.

Step #6- Once your pet is accustomed to having his teeth brushed two teeth at a time, you can proceed to cleaning all his teeth in a single session. Make each tooth cleaning session a playful and fun experience that gives you the opportunity to bond with your pet. If you approach it with this mindset, it won’t seem like so much of a struggle!