This One Thing Will Extend Your Dog’s Life for 3 Years, Yet Most People Rarely Do It
Rocky Kanaka
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As dog parents, itâs our responsibility to keep our companions healthy and happy. Part of that processâ and one that is often overlookedâ is caring for their teeth.
âToothbrushing is a critical part of maintaining your dogâs health,â says Veterinarian Jody Berquist. âI think the biggest misconception is that pet owners give their dogs things like milk bones and think that brushes their teeth. Thatâs probably the biggest fallacy.â
Why Brush a Dogâs Teeth?
Like people, dogs are prone to dental disease. Berquist says that âBrushing a dogâs teeth can increase a dogâs lifespan by about 20 percent,â and 9 out of 10 veterinarians recommend regular tooth brushing.
In fact, dental disease is by far the most prevalent canine health problem. More people visit their veterinarian for dental disease/decay than any other illness.
In Berquistâs words, âIt helps prevent heart disease, liver disease, and kidney disease from the bacteria floating around in the bloodstream.â
âBrushing a dogâs teeth can increase a dogâs lifespan by about 20 percentâ
-Veterinarian Jody Berquist
To be more specific, it works a bit like this: Teeth are an important part of a dogâs body. Theyâre required for chewing and eating, and any decay will cause extreme discomfort. More importantly, unaddressed periodontal disease can enter the bloodstream and cause widespread infections. Particularly bad cases can even cause death!
Dental disease dramatically increases your dogâs risk of heart problems, and prolonged neglect of a dogâs dental health will inevitably cause pain. Dogs with existing health problems are at an even higher risk of complications, as plaque buildup can cause complications in diabetic dogs.
Fortunately, toothbrushing negates these effects by removing the source. When you brush your dogâs teeth, you freshen their breath and remove plaque and bacteria, which tend to build up when youâre not paying attention.
How Often Should You Brush Your Dogâs Teeth?
Ideally, you should brush your dogâs teeth 1â2 times daily, but thatâs not always possible. Dogs arenât usually as tolerant of toothbrushing as a person, so most owners will opt to brush three times weekly.
However, if possible, owners should try to brush their dogâs teeth every other day. This improves the efficiency of tooth brushing and prevents the most plaque buildup.
How to Brush a Dogâs Teeth
The earlier you start brushing your pupâs teeth, the easier it will be! However, plenty of owners donât have the opportunity to train their beloved companions from an early age. If youâre starting to brush an older dogâs teeth, then make sure the experience is as rewarding as possible. Gently ease into the process and increase exposure as your dog becomes more accustomed to the toothbrush.
The best ways to encourage a stress-free brushing experience are:
- Allow the dog to leave if theyâre uncomfortable
- Do not force the dog to do anything
- Find a toothpaste flavor your dog enjoys
- Give a treat afterward
- Gradually introduce the dog to the brush
- If your dog dislikes the toothbrush, a washcloth or gauze will also work
What You Need to Brush Dogs Teeth
Start with a soft-bristle toothbrush or cloth. Some dogs enjoy the feeling of a brush, and others prefer cloth or gauze rolled over a finger. Whichever option you choose, youâll want to ensure that itâs safe for your dog. If youâre ever unsure, contact your veterinarian for advice.
You should also find high-quality toothpaste for your dog. This is not the same as regular toothpaste; dog-friendly toothpaste is specially formulated to be nontoxic and optimized for the unique bacterial environment of a dogâs mouth.
However, some dogs wonât tolerate toothpaste.
Donât worry too much if this is true for your dog. Toothpaste adds to the effectiveness of toothbrushing, but most of the benefits come from the act of brushing and removing plaque. As long as you are spending ample time finding and removing plaque, youâre doing your job. You can also use liquid 100% coconut oil to give your dog some of those antibacterial benefits.
How to Brush Your Dogâs Teeth
Once your dog is comfortable with you touching their mouth and lifting their lips, you can begin to brush their teeth.
After gently lifting their lips, focus your efforts on your dogâs gum line. You donât need to scrub hard, and you should work quickly. Most of the plaque will be focused on the outward-facing portion of your dogâs teeth.
Youâll want to spend around 30 seconds brushing each side of the dogâs mouth. When youâre done, rinse off the toothbrush or cloth. If you were using gauze, you can discard it afterward.
As you work, look for signs of tooth decay and disease. If you see any swelling or bleeding, contact your vet.
Did you know that dogs can get all kinds of dental work done? Some dogs need braces!
