When performing oral hygiene in dogs, one of the frequent doubts is how often brush dog teeth. The answer is that this varies, since when the puppy is being taught this practice, the frequency is higher than when it has already assimilated the lesson.
In this sense, it is worth noting that the frequency of brushing the dog's teeth brings many benefits. One of them corresponds to the animal's health, the other is related to behavior. Brushing implies a physical contact that reinforces the bond of trust between the dog and its owner. This will make the dog more receptive to its master when, for example, it will be given some medication directly on the muzzle.
How often should you brush dog teeth
The frequency of brushing the dog's teeth is closely related to the age of the dog. To know specifically how often to brush dog's teeth, keep in mind that up to 8 months of age the dog's teeth are not fully formed.
However, it is advisable to stimulate the gums from the time the dog is a puppy. This will also stimulate the birth and development of each dental piece in the dog's muzzle.
You must also be clear that when the puppy is in the training phase, this task must be practiced daily. Once he learns his lesson, brushing him twice a week will be enough.
There is no defined standard of how often to brush the dog's teeth. That is why there are those who adapt the frequency according to their hygienic preferences. So, it is common to find masters that after every meal try to brush the dog's teeth, but this can even have consequences. This can wear down their teeth and even cause discomfort and irritation to the gums.
Tips on how to brush a puppy teeth
From the time the dog is a puppy, we must teach them all the practices we want them to practice all their lives. For example, oral cleaning. But in very small dogs this is not an easy task. So we leave you some tips that will help you:
- In the first weeks of life, as he still has no teeth, stimulate the gums with a wet cotton. This promotes dental development.
- Once the first teeth are born, use your fingers, with gloves, to teach the animal how to brush.
- Once they have all their teeth, try using small brushes, including gum massagers.
- It is ideal to first use the brushes supplied with the base to embed them in their master's finger. This will allow them to become familiar with the first lessons, done with the fingers.
- After your dog has assimilated and accepts having his teeth brushed with a toothbrush, choose one with a handle. The size of the brush should be adapted to the animal's jaw.
- Repeat the lesson over and over again, until the dog remembers it and keeps it in his memory.
Dental care for older dog
If you have an adult dog that has never received dental care, it is never too late to give it to him. Although there is no denying that it is a little more complicated and less effective in preventing plaque, but it is necessary.
The first thing to do is to visit a veterinarian for a dental cleaning. Determine a diagnosis and establish a treatment, for possible problems, or prevention. After that, it is necessary to check the dog's teeth every week. This is either to notice an improvement or to see if there is no visible discomfort.
It is important to be clear that when an adult dog has never been brushed, it is likely to suffer from dental diseases. Because the less the animal is brushed, the more residues accumulate, giving way to dental plaque, which is the trigger of multiple affections.
At what age do dental problems appear in dogs?
Although many people think that when a dog is a puppy it does not tend to suffer from dental problems, this is not true. Once your dog's teeth are formed and he begins to eat solid food, he is prone to suffer from these problems:
- Tartar, can appear in dogs up to 1 year old.
- Bad breath, associated with dental or stomach problems, can appear just before the first year of life.
- Dental diseases can be detected even before the animal has all its teeth. For the gums are always prone to irritation, inflammation and infection.
According to these considerations, it is very important to prevent the presence of dental problems in dogs from an early age. It is not necessary to trust that when they are small none of these problems can appear, because they can still occur. In that sense, it is advisable to take care of dental hygiene from a very young age and prevent diseases.
Take note of all these tips, take care of your dog and avoid premature loss of teeth due to lack of attention and hygiene.
