Dog Dental Care: How To Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean

Dog Dental Care: How To Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Clean

Alpha Paw Sale

Jan 14, 2024

What is Dog Dental Care?

A dog’s health depends on proper care for its whole body. This includes understanding their teeth, mouth, proper use of mouthwash, and toothpaste for dogs.

This is a common area that is often overlooked when routine care and maintenance are discussed. Dental care should be an important part of your daily routine for your pet. This will help keep your dog healthy and happy.

If you notice any of these signs in your dog, it would be best for your vet to check them over to make sure that these signs are only due to their dental disease and not something more. Depending on your dog’s dental disease severity, your vet may recommend that your dog have a professional dental cleaning done at the vet clinic to remove any infected teeth and help get rid of all the tartar and plaque build-up.

Common signs of dental disease in dogs are:

  • Bad smelling breath
  • Tartar on their teeth
  • Swollen face, especially under their eyes
  • Pawing at their mouth
  • Drooling
  • Difficult or painful when eating

Dog dental care how to keep your dog's teeth clean

A Dog’s Oral Health

Many dogs can develop dental disease as they get older. This is most commonly seen in small breed dogs such as Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Yorkies. By caring for your dog’s teeth, they can live long lives and be much healthier. Dental disease has been linked to other diseases such as heart disease, kidney disease, or systemic infections. If your dog has dental disease, it is best to start to care for your dog’s teeth early in their life to help maintain healthy teeth and prolong their life.

Signs of Dental Issues In Dogs

When your dog starts to develop dental issues, you will see a small amount of tartar that has built up along the gum lines. This tartar can easily attract bacteria and food particles. These will get trapped along the gum line until there is plaque formation. Plaque is the harder substance on your dog’s teeth that can be very difficult to remove by just brushing your dog’s teeth.

If your dog has severe dental disease, they can have inflamed gums called gingivitis and need a professional dental cleaning at your vet’s office. Your vet can clean your teeth just like people get at their dentist to remove any plaque and tartar. Once this is done, you can then start routine maintenance to keep your dog’s teeth free of plaque and tartar.

Dog dental care how to keep your dog's teeth clean

How to Keep A Pet’s Teeth Clean

There are many different ways that you can keep your dog’s teeth clean. These are a few different things that you can try at home.

Brush your dog’s teeth

There are toothbrushes and toothpaste that are specifically made for dogs. This can take a little tie for your dog to get used to having their teeth brush, but with a little time and training, your dog can easily learn to allow you to brush their teeth. These are a few steps that you can take to help train your dog to allow you to brush its teeth.

Put your finger on their teeth.

  • Allow your dog to see and smell the toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Give your dog a small amount of toothpaste to lick
  • Put the toothbrush in their mouth and on their teeth
  • Put a small amount of toothpaste on the brush and start to brush a few teeth
  • Many dogs do best with a finger toothbrush, but you can also use a soft-bristle baby toothbrush to brush your dog’s teeth.

Best Products for Comprehensive Dog Dental Care

Ensure your canine companion’s oral health with our carefully curated selection of the best products for comprehensive dog dental care. From toothbrushes and toothpaste to dental chews and water additives, our top picks are designed to make dental care a breeze for both you and your furry friend.

Dental fresh water additive for dogs, original formula, 17oz – dog breath freshener and teeth clea
9.4
  • Eliminates dental plaque-causing bacteria, whitens and strengthens teeth over time.
  • Use daily, along with regular brushing, to support your pet's healthy teeth and gums, give your pet fresh breath, and simplify professional cleanings.
  • Safely helps fight periodontal disease without brushing and no adverse effects on periodontal tissues.
  • No taste or color, so it doesn't disrupt your pet's drinking habits.
  • Contains no alcohol, no sugar, no surfactants or detergents, and no pungent mint flavors, like many other water bowl additives on the market do. Does not cause staining, has no taste or artificial flavorings, and can be safely used long-term. Made in the USA!
Tropiclean fresh breath plus glucosamine for hips & joints | dog oral care water additive | dog brea
9.4
  • This water additive works to eliminate stinky dog breath while defending against plaque, tartar, and bad breath to support a healthy mouth.
  • Specially formulated with glucosamine hydrochloride to help reduce inflammation around the hips, joints, and cartilage and support better movement.
  • This breath freshener for dogs is easy to measure and pour—simply add 1/2 capful to eight ounces of clean water twice daily.
  • If your dog is new to Fresh Breath for Dogs or has a sensitive stomach, start him off with half the recommended dose and work your way up to a full dosage.
  • The naturally derived formula is free from sulfates, bleach, parabens, dyes, and flavors.
Petkin liquid oral care, 8 fl oz - simply add this pet dental water additive to your pet's daily dri
9.4
  • Made with a special formula designed to clean teeth and gums while your pet drinks.
  • Easy-to-use liquid additive is combined with water for easy feeding.
  • Freshens breath for more enjoyable kisses and a cleaner mouth.
  • Brightens teeth while cleaning off plaque and tartar for a healthier smile.
  • A fast and convenient way to keep your pet's mouth clean.
Vets preferred oral care water additive for dogs - healthy mouth dog breath freshener mouthwash - fi
9.4
  • Water additive battles bad doggy breath while supporting oral health.
  • Tasty but mild mint flavor works like breath mints.
  • Helps to fight the tartar and plaque that lead to gym disease.
  • Easy to use – just add a small amount to your dog’s water bowl.
  • Safe for cats, too.
Ebpp advanced pet dental care water additive - premium cat & dog dental care and dog breath freshene
9.4
  • Helps eliminate the bad bacteria in your pet’s mouth that leads to bad breath.
  • When used consistently, this water additive helps reduce plaque and tartar buildup on teeth and gums, which can cause periodontal disease and gingivitis in pets.
  • Simply add 1-2 tablespoons into your pet’s water.
  • Vet recommended and suitable for dogs of all sizes and cats.
  • Helps you keep up with your pet’s oral hygiene, promoting overall health and well-being.

Give Your dog Dental chews.

There are many chews and dental sticks that are great for dogs with dental disease. These chews help decrease plaque and tartar build-up on your dog’s teeth. When looking for a dental chew, make sure that the veterinary oral health council approves it. They have compiled a list of great treats for dogs and have studies showing that they help decrease dental tartar and plaque buildup.

Dog dental care: how to keep your dog's teeth clean

Give your dog dental food.

There are a few diets that are specifically designed for dogs with dental disease. These diets are often available with a prescription from your vet. They work by breaking away plaque and tartar when your dog bites on the crunchy pieces of food. If your dog has to have a special diet for another health issue, you can even add a few pieces of this diet in with their other diet so that they can still eat their prescription diet while getting the benefits of a dental diet.

Dog dental care: how to keep your dog's teeth clean

Put dental additives in their water.

You can put things like mouthwash for dogs into your dog’s water that will help decrease plaque and tartar on their teeth. It will also leave them with a fresh-smelling breath. However, when offering your dog these water additives, make sure that you also provide them with water that does not have and additives in them as some dogs can be very picky and not like the taste of the water additive.

Can Dogs Use Human Toothpaste?

You should only brush your dog’s teeth with pet toothpaste. NEVER use human toothpaste. This contains xylitol and other ingredients that are toxic to dogs. Many dog toothpaste also comes in flavors that many dogs like, such as beef or vanilla.

Final Thoughts

If your dog has bad-smelling breath, it would be best for you to look at their teeth. If you notice that there is tartar or plaque on their teeth, you should brush your dog’s teeth and offer them dental treats to chew on. Following these tips, you can quickly teach your dog to tolerate having their teeth brushed. Keep your dog’s mouth free and bacteria, tartar, and plaque will help keep your dog healthy for many years as dental disease has been linked to causing or worsening many other health issues.

Alpha Paw Sale
author image

Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM

Member of Alpha Paw’s Board of Pet Experts

Dr. Sara Ochoa, DVM is a board-certified, licensed, and USDA-accredited small animal and exotic animal veterinarian. Dr. Sara graduated from St. George's University in 2015 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. Following veterinary school, she joined the team of pet experts at a small animal and exotic veterinary clinic in east Texas, where she treats all species that walk in the hospital. Dr. Sara’s professional interests include surgery and exotic animal medicine. She enjoys developing positive relationships with her clients, sharing her passion for animals, and helping pet parents provide excellent care for their fur babies. She is passionate about helping our four-legged family members return to a happy and healthy life - making her a perfect fit for Alpha Paw’s Board of Pet Experts!

Disclaimer

The medical, nutritional, or behavioral advice we provide is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Our editorial content is not a substitute for formal or personalized medical advice from a veterinary professional. Only board-certified veterinary specialists who have examined your pet should diagnose medical conditions, provide personalized treatment, or prescribe appropriate medication. For questions regarding your pet’s health, or if your pet is exhibiting signs of illness, injury, or distress, contact your veterinarian immediately. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.