brushing teeth?

Question

I have a 3month old shih tzu and I was advised to brush his teeth everyday. I would like to keep his mouth clean since I let him lick my arm and kiss me. I am I supposed to brush his teeth? His teeth are very small... do I use special brush and toothpast?
Also am I supposed force his mouth open? also how do I rinse his mouth?
you can tell that i'm new at this... =)

Answer 1

You can buy specialy dog toothbrushes that have loopy handles so they're easy to hold. They also make little brushes that go on your finger, I think these are for smaller dogs. They also make special dog toothpaste, DO NOT use human toothpaste. Buy a toothpaste that says ENZYMATIC. That's what you want. What they make tastes good to dogs and you do not rinse afterward, it is safe for the dog to swallow. Yes, you have to open hos mouth, and that will take a little getting used to for him. At first, I would say get him used to the toothpaste, and onece he likes it put it on the brush and let him lick it. At this stage only use very small quantities, just for acclimation. Once he likes the brush and paste, try putting itin his mouth. You can start by lifting his "lips" and brushing the sides of the teeth you see from the outside, and then going inside her cheeck and brushing. Once he lets you do that move on to opening his jaw but putting your fingers back at the corners of his mouth, and he'll open it. It's hard to describe, but a vet can easily show you, so ask the next time you go.

Here is a youtube video link. A few of them. The second is great, but she says you don't need to brush the insides, And you most diefinitely should, if your dog will let you. It cannot hurt, and in between the cracks of their teeth can build up tartar and calculus, even if some surfaces will not.

Answer 2

Buy dog-specific toothpaste and brushes at a petstore. You can brush every day, or several times a week, or once a week at bare minimum. You don't need to rinse because pet toothpaste is designed to be swallowed.

The best way is to gently hold the dog's head, push the toothbrush between his lips, and just start brushing. It's okay if he chews on the brush while you're working, just don't let him bite or growl. Start slowly by letting him taste the toothpaste on your finger, and lick a little off the toothbrush, and don't brush for too long- 10-20 seconds is good, just be sure to hit all the teeth. And only brush the front, not the tops or backs like humans- tartar only really forms on the front, and most dogs protest if you try to brush the backs anyway.

You can also buy oral liquid that you put in their water to help keep their mouths clean and fresh between brushing.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Your vet should have explained it to you better. Yes, get a doggie tooth brush and tooth paste. If you need to force his mouth open, do it very gently. You can also just use an old wash cloth and put the tooth paste on it. Just rub it around in his mouth against his teeth the best you can. No need to rinse his mouth when you use the doggie tooth paste and don't use people tooth paste.

Answer 4

you should have started working with it the first day you got it. Dont use toothpaste for people on your dog as it is not good for them. call the vet and ask what they recommend to clean its teeth with. to get its mouth open take your index finger and put it on the inside of the of the mouth between the teeth and the gums and gently move your finger back and forth until it gets used to you doing this. It will get easier as ya go----expect to get bit or snapped at the first few times you try. As you are working with your pup continue to talk to it and keep telling him he is a good boy and it's ok which will help keep him calm.

Answer 5

Yes you should brush their teeth you can go to pets mart to get a special tooth brush and there is this tooth paste called Denta Clean Pet toothpaste, we use it on our dogs. But to brush them just put the tooth brush in his mouth and do the best you can, if you keep up with it every day then it wont smell that bad and itll get him used to it the younger you start him on it, that way he wont fight you for it. Good luck

And to rinse his mouth just brush them like you would yours , just rinse the tooth brush off each time you put it in his mouth.

Answer 6

Feed him a species appropriate prey-model raw diet and his teeth will clean themselves. How do you suppose wolves have survived in the wild for thousands and thousands of years without some cave man chasing them around with a toothbrush? connective tissue, that's how.

My dogs have never had dental problems, my 12 year old German Shepherd Dog still has all his teeth, and they are nice and white and clean.

We have never had issues with the dreaded diseases that the doomsdayers and naysayers warned me about. One vet at my practice is dead set against me feeding my dogs raw, and the other, older, more experienced one is behind me 100%.

I've seen dogs with nasty teeth turn around on a prey-model diet. Their breath smells way better, too (except when they eat fish and burp in your face). There's no kibble build up in their mouths, and their bodies are digesting the food efficiently, instead of trying to process by-products, wheat and corn. (carnivores don't eat wheat and corn)

Answer 7

you should never use human hygine products on dogs or cats, you can get special flavored dog toothpaste at any petstore, you can also get special dog toothbrushes, but I prefer to use a soft baby toothbrush, especially for smaller dogs. There are also 'doggie breath mints" called yip-yaps, I have found those to work semi-well, good luck with you pup!

Answer 8

i saw this thing at a pet store and it was a doggy treat. If you give it to your dog it is suppose to clean your dogs teeth.

Answer 9

you can, and should but if you dont want too--> theres always dental treats which are tastly treats which also cleans the teeth as it chews on it

Answer 10

yes go to PetSmart and they will direct you to where the dog toothpaste and brushes are, and all you need to do is force his lips apart.