WARNING
If your dog has had teeth extracted, do not start any of these methods until about 7-10 days post op.

Daily Brushing
Daily tooth brushing is the most effective way of removing plaque. Patience and persistence may be required, but most dogs will accept some degree of home care.

Make the dog comfortable and approach from the side rather than in front.
Start by rubbing the toothpaste on the teeth with your finger or finger brush then progress to a soft toothbrush.
Brush the teeth in a circular motion that includes the gums and crowns of the teeth.
Start with just a few teeth and gradually increase the number of teeth cleaned in a single session.
The mouth does not need to be opened, it is mainly the outside surfaces of the teeth, where the gums and tooth meet which need brushing.
Offer a reward at the end of the procedure e.g a game or a treat (not chocolate or biscuits!)
lnclude tooth brushing as part of the daily routine.

The Older Dog
Home care is far more likely to be acceptable to an older dog if it is introduced as an extension of a pre-existing routine e.g evening meal, walk or grooming.

Other Methods
Although brushing is the most effective way of removing plaque, other methods can be used if brushing has proved unsuccessful.
The use of products aimed at encouraging chewing activity may be beneficial as it stimulates salivation, flushing the mouth with natural plaque retardants and physically removes some plaque from the teeth.

There are specially formulated diets such as Hills T/D which, when bitten into, do not shatter immediately due to special fibres which allow the tooth to penetrate the kibble and help wipe plaque, tartar and staining from the tooth’s surface right down to the gum line.

A variety of hard biscuits,rawhide shapes or strips, rubber and nylon toys are on the market. Rawhide chews have shown to be the most effective material. It is recommended that dogs should be encouraged to chew these products daily, preferably shortly after eating their main meal.

Regular Checkups
Even with ideal home care, most animals will still need their teeth cleaned professionally at variable intervals. As with ourselves, most of us brush our teeth daily but still require dental examinations and professional periodontal therapy at regular intervals.

Call the surgery to make an appointment to have your dogs teeth checked.