One of the easiest ways to promote good health in your dog healthy is to keep his teeth clean and in good condition. Many people do not realize how important dental care is for dogs. The best way to ensure proper dental health for your dog is to start when he is very young.

Many dogs don’t like having their mouths touched. That’s why you should desensitize your dog to being handled like this, starting at a very young age. The veterinarian will always want to examine your dog’s mouth, and you don’t want to have problems with an uncooperative canine.

Gently touch the lips, open the mouth, and touch the teeth in a calm and relaxing way for about five minutes each day until your pup is used to being handled in this way. You can start this process with an older dog, too. It may take a little longer for the older dog to accept the handling. Make this a regular part of your interaction with your dog so he remains calm when you are doing any kind of preventive dental care.

For best results, veterinarians recommend brushing your dog’s teeth daily. You should buy special toothpaste made for dogs. Don’t ever use human toothpaste on dogs as it can be toxic to them. To get your dog used to having his teeth brushed, you could start by putting a dab of dog toothpaste on a cotton ball or on your finger and rubbing it over his teeth. Toothpaste for dogs is flavored and usually quite tasty to them, so he shouldn’t mind this.

You can then try a finger brush, available at any pet supply store. Eventually, especially for larger breeds, you will want to graduate to a regular dog toothbrush. Daily brushing will help prevent the buildup of calculus and debris on your dog’s teeth.


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