How to Clean Your Dog's Teeth When Brushing is a Problem

Not that you shouldn’t brush your dog’s teeth. You should. But if Fido bares his teeth every time you walk past the cupboard where his toothbrush is kept, you may have to do the best you can without brushing. Your vet can do a dental cleaning, though it can be costly and may require anesthesia. If brushing or dental cleanings are not possible, here are some alternatives that can help.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Gauze or soft cloth.
• C.E.T. bones.
• Liquid oral care products for dogs and cats.

1. If you want to brush your dog’s teeth but he won’t let the brush in his mouth, it could be just a matter of acclimation. Start by using a soft cloth or by wrapping a piece of gauze around your finger. Then have him sit with you and just gently massage his gums. Getting him used to you being in his mouth might help him eventually accept the brush.
2. Check with your vet to see if he/she sells CET Chews. These are treats made from beef hide, basted with poultry flavor, and coated with a dual enzyme system (CET) that prevents bacteria from building up and removes existing plaque. You should know though that vets view CET chews as part of good oral hygiene for your dog, not a solution. You can also buy CET chews online at places like Healthypets.com.
3. Another great (and more economical) solution is to put an additive in their drinking water. One such product is Liquid Oral Care by Petkin (available at petkin.com, or online at large pet stores). This solution is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. Cats can drink it too, and the pets don’t seem to notice its presence. The solution fights plaque and gum disease and takes care of doggy breath.
4. Finally you can buy tooth wipes and tooth swabs for cleaning pet teeth, which the pets may find more acceptable than the intrusion of a brush.
5. And of course, there is always the option of having your vet do a cleaning. This can be expensive, and may or may not require anesthesia. Many vets are now offering anesthesia free dental care for pets, like this one Pet Dental Services.

Tips & Warnings

• You should know, there are times when you shouldn’t brush. If the dog already has tartar, brushing won’t help. The vet will need to clean his teeth first to remove the scale, otherwise you could cause irritation.