Do You Really Need To Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?

Many dog owners  ask do I really need to “brush” my dog’s teeth? Why can't I just give them a dental chew to clean their teeth? Well, the good news is that the occasional dog chew, if given responsibly is a good idea. Dogs aren’t as prone to cavities as humans. However, veterinarians estimate that almost 85% of dogs over the age of 5 have periodontal disease.

Our pets can develop periodontal disease when food particles get stuck in their teeth. These particles along with bacteria lead to plaque. This plaque, in turn leads to deposits of rock-hard tartar along the gum line. After awhile the tartar will irritate and inflame your pets gums can begin to separate from the teeth. This can lead to severe pain for your dog, tooth loss, abscesses in their mouth, and/or bacterial infections that can spread throughout the blood stream and other organs. Periodontal disease is irreversible but all of this can be helped or even prevented with regular dog teeth cleaning.

Dogs eat every day and just like us, so it would be ideal to brush teeth after every meal. However, many of us do not have the time for this. Once a day is the best recommendation of brushing their teeth, but if your schedule is still tight, aim to brush a few times a week.

If you need help learning how to brush your dog’s teeth you can always consult a Certified Professional Dog Trainer to help you.