Easy Doggy Dental Care: How to Care For Your Dog’s Teeth

Why does my dog’s breath smell? If your dog is suffering from stinky breath, he may need more than a mouth rinse. According to the American Kennel Club, at least 8 out of 10 dogs suffer from periodontal disease, and stinky dog breath is a common symptom. Bad breath happens for various reasons; tooth decay, plaque and tartar buildup, dehydration, or lack of oral hygiene. 

If you want to learn how to clean your dog’s teeth you've come to the right place. Pet owners who fail to incorporate oral hygiene risk dental problems like gingivitis (gum inflammation). Today, HICC PET™ discusses simple ways to clean your dog’s teeth and the top dog dental care products. 

So, how does tartar form on your dog’s teeth? Tartar forms when plaque, a film of bacteria, accumulates on the teeth and hardens. Plaque is a sticky, colorless film that appears on the tooth surface daily. It comes from bacteria, saliva, and sticky food particles. 

Once enough, plaque builds up along the tooth and gum line; the plaque hardens, and tartar forms. Plaque and tartar cause tooth decay and, eventually, tooth loss. Once the condition worsens, it becomes irreversible. You must seek a dentist to remove tartar from the tooth surface and use preventive measures like brushing to keep tartar away forever. 

You cannot remove tartar from brushing. It takes a professional cleaning service to remove tartar from the tooth. The best way to keep your dog tartar-free is through prevention. Brush the teeth regularly to remove plaque quickly and stop tartar formation.

Just like humans, regular brushing helps prevent plaque formation. Pet oral care supplies like a toothbrush for dogs or pet dental wipes allow owners to remove plaque gently. Adding these supplies to your dog’s teeth care routine maintains pearly white teeth and long-lasting fresh breath. Numerous dog dental care and grooming products simplify the dog care process. 

Related Reads: How to Choose the Right Grooming Products for a Cleaner Pooch

Consult a veterinarian or teeth cleaning service if you notice any of the signs below in your dog:

1. Bad breath
2. Discolored teeth
3. Excessive drooling
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding from the mouth
6. Pawing at the mouth
7. Difficulty chewing
8. Swelling around the mouth or face

Yes, dog dental cleaning is necessary to maintain good oral health. Regular brushing and professional cleanings can help prevent dental disease and keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.

Dogs typically need a professional dental cleaning every 6-12 months, depending on their age, breed, and overall health. At home, teeth care can begin as soon as your dog starts eating everyday dog food. 

Vets recommend that you clean your dog’s teeth at around 6 months. Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best age to start cleaning your dog’s teeth.

Brushing your dog’s teeth at least once a week is the best method for solid oral hygiene. However, if your dog has dental problems, you may need to brush its teeth more often.

The common saying that all dogs have bad breath is a myth. Your pet’s mouth may not smell like fresh flowers, but it should not smell horrible. If your dog has bad breath and you don’t know where to start, different dental products may help. Remember, once tartar forms, your dog needs a professional dental cleaning. Brushing alone will not help remove tartar. Stop plaque buildup with these dental products for dogs. 

Unlike toothbrushes, dental wipes make pet teeth cleaning less exhausting. Dental wipes clean and freshen your dog’s teeth and gums. They are typically made with natural ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, baking soda, and more to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. For the best pet teeth-cleaning wipes, we recommend HICC PET™. These wipes also work for cleaning cat teeth and preventing periodontal diseases. 

Related Reads: How to Choose the Right Cat Grooming Products 

Your dog may hate the feeling of brushing at first, but there are ways to get them accustomed. Start by introducing the toothbrush to your dog in a positive way. Let your dog sniff and explore the toothbrush, and reward them with treats and praise. Once your dog is comfortable, gently brush one tooth at a time. Only use toothpaste made for dogs. Human toothpaste can be toxic to pets. Gradually increase the time you spend brushing your dog’s teeth; eventually, your dog should become comfortable with the process.

Dental chews benefit healthy dog teeth in multiple ways. The chewing and gnawing action scrubs plaque off and encourages dental wellness. Beware dental chews brands that add processed preservatives to their products. Some dental chews contain carbohydrates that break down into sugars and stick to your dog’s gum line forming tartar. 

Pet oral sprays simplify brushing for a quick and easy dog teeth-cleaning method. An oral spray is an essential dental product for dogs. Sprays maintain your pet’s dental health and offer these benefits: 

• Reduced tartar and plaque 
• Less risk of gum disease 
• Oral cleaning & deodorizing 
• Soothing gum irritations
• Preventing gum ulcers
• Speeding up the teeth-cleaning process
• Freshen breath
• Preventing mouth infections 

The primary purpose of a professional teeth cleaning is to remove hardened tartar on the gum line. Brushing alone will not remove tartar, so a professional cleaning takes dog dental care to a new level. Professional cleanings get deep into the areas where tartar resides to promote whiter teeth, reverse tooth decay, and encourage healthy gums.

A dog dental wipe is an effective and fun way to clean your dog’s teeth in seconds. HICC PET™ designs wipe that slip right onto your index finger for flexible, durable, and fast teeth cleaning without slippage. Follow the instructions below to learn how to use our pet oral care supplies. 

Materials Needed: 

• Dental wipes for dogs 
• Dog treats 

Required steps:

Step 1: Situate your dog in a comfortable position. 

Step 2: Slip the dental wipe on your index finger and allow your dog to sniff the product. 

Step 3: Ensure the dental wipe is moist and not dry. 

Step 4: Keep the mouth open and steady with the other hand.

Step 5: Gently lift your dog’s lip and wipe along the gum line in a circular motion.

Step 6: Work your way down each tooth from top to bottom. 

Step 7: Glide the wipe from the front to the back of the mouth for tricky areas. 

Step 8: Once finished, offer your dog a dental-safe snack. 

Step 9: Repeat this process 2-3 times a week for the best results. 

Yes. It is safe to use a human toothbrush. You can use a regular toothbrush for your dog. However, the best option is a toothbrush made for dogs. Need another method? Try pet teeth cleaning wipes for more comfort and better oral health. 

At HICC PET™, we suggest brushing or using dental wipes for dog oral care at least twice a week. Some products maintain dog teeth and overall health without the labor of toothbrushing. Below are the products that keep a dog’s mouth clean without brushing. 

As mentioned before, oral pet sprays are ideal for maintaining oral health. The spray eliminates bacteria that create bad breath. It coats the tooth enamel to fight infections and prevents bacteria from sticking to the gum line. Pet oral sprays reduce disease and work well with other tools like dental wipes or toothbrushes. 

Coconut oil contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. Imagine fresher breath and a solution for fighting gum disease and tartar in one. Coconut oil is an organic substance that cleans, moisturizes, and deodorizes the teeth and body in and out. For a more holistic dog care routine, try incorporating more coconut-based dog care products to offer your dog more comfort and lessen the likelihood of oral or body infections.

Dog dental snacks support healthy teeth by providing a mechanical cleaning action to remove plaque and tartar buildup. They come packed with essential vitamins for healthy gum management and tooth remineralization. 

Certain foods are better for dog teeth than others. Dogs can eat foods such as raw vegetables, apples, carrots, celery, and other crunchy fruits and vegetables to help keep their teeth clean in-between regular brushing. 

There are specific dog probiotics that offer dental support in-between cleanings. Probiotics come with millions of good bacterial cultures that balance the germs in your dog’s mouth and eliminate the chances of plaque sticking. 

Yes, dog dental cleaning is generally safe by a qualified veterinarian. Ensure your dog's veterinarian is experienced with dog dental cleaning. The procedure can be dangerous if done incorrectly.

Pet teeth cleaning costs vary depending on the pet type and whether you have insurance. Without insurance, dog dental cleanings range from $50 to $250, excluding extra costs like anesthesia. Before booking a cleaning appointment, check if cleanings are covered under your vet insurance. 

If you can’t afford dog dental work, there are a few considerable options. First, look into pet insurance plans or discount veterinary clinics that may cover some of the dental care costs. Secondly, consider more at-home methods like regularly using dental wipes, brushing your dog’s teeth, or incorporating more dental products into your care regimen. 

Many merchants will advise you not to use dog products on cats. Luckily with HICC PET™, we offer products that work for cats and dogs. All our products are guaranteed to increase mouth and skin health for both species and their specific needs. Try some pet oral care supplies that all your furry pets can enjoy. 

At HICC PET™, we go above and beyond to bring the best dental care products for dogs and cats. Pet oral sprays and dental wipes deliver the deepest clean with swift and gentle action. Our dental care wipes are textured with high-quality cotton fiber cloth to scrub and slide plaque off the gum line. Use these wipes with our oral pet spray for fresher breath and advanced protection against bacteria and mouth ulcers. Subscribe to learn more about our special pet skin care deals and new product releases before they go public.