By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2009-09-11 20:21:19 | Word Count: 513
Some people tend to think that dog toothpaste is a little over board. They will claim that it is just a way for big companies to take more money from people and that since dogs never brush their teeth in the wild, they do not need to brush them now. This train of thought could not be any further from the truth. It is up to you, the pet owner, to make sure that the dog is well cared for. If the teeth are not kept clean, problems can arise which will cost you much more money at the vet. If you ignore the situation and the need for the vet, you could face animal cruelty charges. Therefore, the dog toothpaste is an essential part of canine dental care.
Getting Started
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When you first begin to brush your dog s teeth, you may be faced with a little resistance. This is typical. The best thing to do is to allow the dog to become familiar with the toothbrush. Like the dog sniff it, lick it, and really get used to it. Next, allow your dog to taste the dog toothpaste by applying a little to his or her teeth using your finger. Start slow when the toothbrush is introduced and you will be fine.
Noticing Problems
Even if you brush your dog s teeth on a regular basis, you want to make sure that you are keeping an eye out for any dental problems that may occur. Symptoms of dental problems would be bloody saliva, excessive drooling, broken teeth, inflamed gums, and tartar build up. The main cause of these symptoms would be that of periodontitis or gingivitis.
Prevention Is Key
The best thing you can do is to make sure that you have your dog in a good hygiene regimen. Make sure that you are brushing your dog s teeth at least a couple of times a week. The faster you move and the calmer you are, the easier your dog will feel about the whole thing. Most importantly, you want to make sure that you are using circular motions and that you are not forgetting about the gums. Dog brushes and dog toothpaste can be purchased from your vet, in pet shops or in department stores that carry dog supplies and food.
You also want to make sure that you are giving your dog a bone, treat, or rawhide that is known for helping with dental care. The more you do for your pet the happier and healthier he will be. You also will be able to avoid unnecessary vet bills when you make sure that your dog s dental health is as good as it should be. Even if you have neglected to brush your dog s teeth until now, there is no better time to start than now. Begin a teeth and gum brushing routine. Your dog may fight with you a little bit about it at first but it will become routine soon enough and you will have no problem getting your pet s teeth nice and clean.
