Whether they’re currently ripping up a pair of slippers or tugging on the sleeve of your favourite jumper, you’ll already be very aware of your pup’s razor-sharp teeth. But do you know how important it is to keep those little bad boys clean?
Keeping your pup’s teeth clean is an important task to keep up throughout their life, especially when those puppy teeth fall out and are replaced with adult ones. Tackling that first teeth-cleaning session can be a bit tricky, especially with a wriggly puppy! So, with the help of our in-house expert Vet Alex, we’re here to give you all the tips and tricks to cleaning your pup’s teeth and why it’s crucial to do so. Toothbrush at the ready? Let’s get into it!
Why is cleaning your puppy’s teeth so important?
Just like us, it’s important to keep up with your dog’s teeth cleaning to reduce the build-up of plaque and tartar.
When it comes to dental health issues in dogs, plaque and tartar are usually the culprits. So, regular brushing with doggy-safe toothpaste, as well as other gels, products and chewable dental sticks, help keep teeth clean and their breath fresh!
Dental health issues in puppies
Letting plaque and tartar build-up on your pup’s pearly whites can lead to several dental health issues, some of which if left, could require further medical treatment.
Issues include;
- Loose teeth
- Gingivitis and other gum diseases
- Bleeding gums
- Abscesses/infection
- Oral pain
- Bone loss from the jaw
What age should you start cleaning your puppy’s teeth?
You can start preparing your puppy for regular teeth cleaning as soon as they come home, which is usually around 8 weeks of age. Young puppies won’t need rigorous cleaning, especially since they’ll eventually lose all their baby teeth to make way for their adult ones.
That said, it’s good to get your pup accustomed to teeth cleaning as soon as possible so they can get used to this rather invasive routine. The earlier you start, the easier teeth cleaning will be when they’re grown.
Caring for your puppy’s baby teeth
Puppies get their first teeth quite early on, so they’ll have a full set of baby teeth by the time they come home with you. These tend to be very tiny and stubby compared to adult teeth, but do still pack a punch with every nip.
The teething phase for a puppy is a challenging one, and you’ll find that they’ll do anything to get their little gnashers around something, even if it is your unsuspecting fingers and toes!
To make sure you’re doing everything you can for these little baby teeth, there are a few actions you can take until they start dropping out. These include;
- Prevent them teething on furniture, shoes and anything else not made for puppies. Anything that’s not made for puppies to chew on runs the risk of them hurting themselves, or damaging their teeth and mouth.
- Frozen fruit and veggie treats. For younger puppies, natural frozen treats are a great way to help teething pain and keep pups distracted. Frozen cooked carrots make a great alternative.
- Puppy chew toys specifically for teething. There are plenty of chew toys on the market that are specifically designed for puppies to gnaw on. This will help keep them away from chewing things they shouldn’t.
- Practise brushing with a soft bristle brush. Remove leftover food or other debris with a soft bristle brush. This is also a great way to practice and get them used to brushing their teeth. Some owners find a finger brush easier to use.
How to make teeth cleaning a positive experience
Getting your pup used to teeth cleaning early on is the first step in making teeth cleaning a positive experience. But there are other things you can do during the cleaning to make sure things are staying calm, relaxed and most importantly - positive!
When doing teeth cleaning training with your pup, you should try:
- Teaching them commands and cue words like ‘chin’ or ‘up’ so they willingly give you their head, ready for you to inspect their teeth.
- Prioritising touching their face, mouth and teeth early on so they can get used to it.
- Stopping or pulling away when your pup seems uncomfortable so they’re not being forced into anything they don’t want to do.
- Consulting your vet for extra advice around brushing due to different breeds having varying-sized jaws and teeth positions, so you can ensure optimum, comfortable cleaning.
Cleaning your puppy’s teeth: What you need
There are a few tools and products that can help towards a successful teeth cleaning session.
So, once you’ve got your dog accustomed to teeth cleaning and you’re ready to start your regular brushing routine, make sure you have these to hand:
- A soft toothbrush or finger brush
- A cloth
- Puppy safe toothpaste
- Puppy safe wipes
- Treats!
Never be tempted to use human toothpaste to clean your pup’s teeth as it can be toxic!
Cleaning your puppy’s teeth: Step-by-step
With all your teeth-cleaning tools and accessories prepared, you’re ready to get brushing. To brighten up that poochy smile, be sure to consider these steps:
1. Inspect your pup’s mouth and teeth. Before going in with your brush, look at your pup’s teeth to see if you can see any inflammation, stuck debris or any other issues. If you spot something that doesn’t look right, contact your vet for further advice.
2. Introduce them to the toothpaste. Try introducing your pup to the toothpaste before applying it to the brush. Pop some on the end of your finger so they can take a whiff and give it a taste. This way they’ll see the toothpaste as a tasty treat, and be more inclined to have it again when you start brushing.
3. Apply to your brush and lift their lips to start brushing. Pop some toothpaste on the end of your brush and lift their lips to reveal their teeth. Using positive language and calm body language, begin brushing!
4. Lightly brush the sides, front and back teeth,and not forgetting their gums. Be sure to leave no tooth unpolished as you brush the front teeth, the back and the sides. Use a softer cloth or finger brush to gently clean their gums.
5. Reapply toothpaste where needed. The toothpaste will likely disappear quite quickly, especially if your pup enjoys the taste! Be sure to reapply where needed.
6. Treat your pup for being so good! If things have gone well and your pup has been good, make sure you let them know! Use positive affirming language and treats to reward them and create a positive experience.
How to maintain your puppy’s clean teeth
Whilst keeping up with regular cleaning, there are a few ways you can maintain clean teeth between brushing, to ensure you’re avoiding any dental complications and THE dreaded smelly dog breath.
Ways to maintain clean puppy teeth include:
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Feeding them the right food. The food they eat daily will always affect the health of their teeth and gums. Dry food is a great way to help maintain clean teeth and reduce plaque, especially when they’re packed with oral-hygiene-friendly ingredients like kelp, fennel, parsley and peppermint.
- Always avoid feeding pups human food, especially those with high sugar and fat content, to help maintain healthy chops.
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Regular dental check-ups. Whenever you find yourself at the vet, ask them to take a look in their mouth to see if they can see any potential problems so you can catch and treat them early.
- Puppy dental sticks and treats. Puppy dental sticks and treats are a great way to give your pup a yummy distraction but also maintain healthy baby teeth.
For puppies 12 weeks and up, try our Dental Probiotic Meaty Treats. These grain-free treats are perfect for puppy tummies and are packed with natural and nutritious ingredients like protein-rich duck, anti-bacterial sage and rosemary to keep teeth nice and clean.
When puppy teeth are a cause for concern
If regular brushing isn’t maintained with your pup, problems with their teeth can occur. That said, it’s important to keep a close eye on your pup’s mouth, teeth and gums to spot any issues before they get worse.
As previously mentioned, dogs can develop abscesses and gum disease due to plaque and tartar build-up, or any stuck debris. If you see any signs of these issues, be sure to make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible.
Signs to look out for include:
- Eating on one side of their mouth
- Pawing at their mouth or shaking their head
- Being off their food
- Foul-smelling breath (halitosis)
- Chipped or fractured teeth
- Excessive drool
- Bleeding gums
Cleaning your pup’s teeth can be tricky, but practice and training are key! Once you have a good routine down, you can easily help maintain clean teeth and fresh breath with our Dental Probiotic Meaty Treats, suitable for puppies 12 weeks and up.
When they get older and those adult teeth have come in nice and strong, they can munch on our super tasty Dental Sticks available in 3 irresistible flavours: Spirulina & Mint, Peanut Butter and Hemp & Sage. Can’t decide? Opt for our Dental Stick bundle that helps freshen breath and reduce that pesky plaque.
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