How Can I Brush My dogs Teeth?

Question

My dog is 10 and I started brushing them when she was about 8, I brush them very infrequently, because she is so difficult and she angers me so much. But her mouth is gross, she has had the oral teeth cleaning surgery and I am trying to maintain it, but it's so hard and to top it off I suspect she eats crap so that really upsets me, I thought I broke her from that, maybe it's the old age, she has changed so much and not in good ways. When I brush her teeth she licks and chomps. and I have a hard time prying her mouth open, please help. If there are any vets reading this your imput would be a godsend.

Thanks

Answer 1

ohn, sounds like you both are not having fun with this.

other than what your vet has suggested after surgery....
you can do what is done for puppies. i learned that no matter the size of the toothbrush, or the meaty flavor of the dog toothpaste (or even if its carob) nothing worked better for me than a babies washcloth ( or even a white one from wal-mart) and the toothpaste from therabreath. i just massage the gums and run the rag on the dogs tongue. or try something from the wellbeing store. it is for older dogs. you can join that site.

in the event that your dog is eating fecal matter.....you can purchase stuff from a petstore to give the dog so they won't be so attracted to poo.

Answer 2

There isn't really a difference actually, my vet told me. The dog tooth paste companies only make them because people think they have to use that on their dogs and nothing else. Just don't use a really strong tooth paste use one thats for little kids with a flavor so your dog wont get mad when you go to brush its teeth. As for the brush it doesn't matter either the only difference is when you buy one for a dog it usually comes with this plastic thing to put on your finger and put paste on and use that instead of a tooth brush because its easier but a regular tooth brush is fine just be gentle and get a soft one. Good luck!

Answer 3

Calm down! It will take awhile to train an 8 year old dog to allow you to brush it's teeth! Wrap a piece of gauze around your finger and moisten it, then dip it in a little dog toothpaste. Gently hold her muzzle shut and slide your fingers along her gumline, just rubbing the OUTSIDE of the teeth. Don't attempt to do the inside--that surface has very little tartar build up. Talk quietly to her and only work a few seconds at a time. Give her treats for being a good girl. Once she is calm and used to that, then try a small soft childs toothbrush, but I think gauze (like for bandages) works best. You just need something slightly rough and abrasive.

BTW, we use Oravet sealant and love it! :)

Answer 4

There are many stores where they sell dog treats that cleans the dogs teeth. But, I have 2 dogs and sometimes they're stubborn and dont want to eat the treats so what you can also buy is a chew toy or a bone that is specialized to help clean out the dogs teeth and that is much easier then having to feed him dog treats.

Answer 5

over the counter dental treats, unfortunetly, don't actually do much for the teeth. There is a product made by Merial(i think), call Oravet. It is a clear waxy substance that you apply to the gumline once weekly instead of daily brushing. It is a pretty new product, so a lot of veterinarians aren't carrying yet, so you might have to seach a bit for it, but it is REALLY worth it. Several of the Veterinary Dentists in the SoCal area have started recommending it....

here is a link to their website

http://www.oravet.us.merial.com/whatis.html

Answer 6

There are toothpaste made for dogs that taste like meat and cheese, try those, also, remain calm when you are doing it. Personally, I don't understand the whole oral surgery thing for dogs, My dogs get plenty of bones to chew so their teeth are nice and pretty.

Answer 7

Give her tasty chewing gum to eat... It will clean the teeth automatically.

Else, mix the tooth paste with something that she loves to eat...

Then she will not mind keeping the mouth open for a while.

Answer 8

Get a tooth brush with a very very long handle.

Answer 9

just get her some greenies or milky dogbones. They are made for cleaning teeth and tartar on dogs.

Answer 10

Try giving her one of those dental chew toys they sell in pet stores. It helps their teeth, gums, and breath.