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Do you want to clean your dog's teeth and remove tartar to restore your furry friend's bright, white smile? Reducing tartar can give your dog a beautiful and healthy set of teeth by preventing issues like gum disease. In this article, we will share effective methods to prepare for teeth cleaning, soften tartar, and prevent its buildup in dogs. Keep reading to help your pet achieve shiny, tartar-free teeth.
Products Used to Soften Tartar in Dogs
- Enzyme toothpaste
- All-natural dental cleaning treats
- Oral hygiene wipes
- Dental gel
- Oral spray
- Raw bones for dogs
- Dog treats
- Coconut oil
- Dog mouthwash
- Oral care solution for dogs
Steps
Brush your dog's teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Apply enzymatic toothpaste to the brush and clean each tooth thoroughly. Wait until your dog is relaxed, such as when lying down, and sit at their eye level. Squeeze a small amount of enzymatic toothpaste onto the brush. Place the brush against your dog's teeth and brush each tooth individually.
- Use enzymatic toothpaste specifically formulated for dogs.
- Some brands like Virbac offer flavors like vanilla, which many dogs enjoy. This toothpaste also helps freshen your dog's breath!
Give your dog dental-cleaning treats to remove tartar.
Offer your dog dental-cleaning treats to help loosen plaque and tartar. You can choose products like raw hides, chew sticks, bones, or dental-cleaning biscuits. Check the label to ensure the product is the right size for your dog. Give your dog one piece daily, and always supervise them while they chew.
- Discard the product once it becomes small enough to pose a choking hazard.
- Chewing on treats or toys helps scrape off plaque and tartar buildup.
- Natural dental treats contain enzymes that promote oral health, and many include ingredients for fresher breath.
- Limit your dog to one dental treat per day to maintain a healthy weight.
- Offer a dental-cleaning toy instead of treats if your dog is on a vet-recommended diet. Your pup will still enjoy it!
Clean your dog's teeth with dental wipes.
Dental wipes can remove calcium that may harden into plaque or tartar. Sit beside your dog, speak in a cheerful tone, and place a finger on one of their teeth. If your dog remains calm and relaxed, gently touch the dental wipe to their teeth. Once your dog is accustomed to the wipe, use it to clean each tooth in a circular motion.
- After placing the wipe near your dog's teeth to help them get used to it, praise them generously.
- Dental wipes can dissolve calcium, softening tartar, which often forms due to calcium buildup on your dog's teeth and can lead to oral health issues like gum disease.
- Brands like Petkin Fresh Mint dental wipes contain baking soda, which helps remove yellow stains and freshens your dog's breath.
Use a dog dental care gel.
This specially formulated gel helps clean plaque and tartar from your dog's teeth. Calm your dog and gently touch the inside of their mouth. Once your dog is comfortable, squeeze two drops of the gel onto your index finger and apply it to the right side of their mouth. Repeat for the left side.
- Apply the dental gel daily, and you'll see results within 30 days.
- You won't need to brush your dog's teeth if you use a dental gel like TropiClean Fresh Breath. The gel mixes with your dog's saliva, activating its ingredients to dissolve plaque and tartar.
- Dental gels also have antibacterial properties and help freshen your dog's breath.
Use a dental spray to break down plaque on your dog's teeth.
Dental sprays help remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. Calm your dog with gentle petting, then spray the solution onto their gums and teeth. The spray mixes with your dog's saliva, creating a film that dissolves plaque and calcium in tartar.
- Read the product label and adjust the dosage based on your dog's size.
- Use the dental spray 30 minutes before or after feeding your dog.
- You may need to use the spray more frequently if your dog has significant tartar buildup.
- Dental sprays like HealthyMouth are alcohol-free, non-toxic, and use natural ingredients to significantly reduce tartar and prevent gum disease.
- For best results, combine the dental spray with daily brushing.
- If your dog is too fidgety, spray the solution onto their toys. As they chew, the spray will spread in their mouth.
Give your dog bones to help break down tartar.
Tartar will be reduced as your dog chews on bones. Choose a bone that matches your dog's size—not too small to swallow or too large to chew—and supervise them while they gnaw, especially if they try to fit the entire bone in their mouth.
- Raw bones are an excellent choice for combating tartar because they don't splinter and won't harm your dog's teeth.
- Use the "kneecap test" to check if the bone is soft enough for your dog—if tapping the bone against your kneecap causes pain, it's too hard for your dog.
- If your dog chews too aggressively, remove the bone to prevent tooth damage.
Reward your dog with treats after cleaning their teeth.
This will make your dog eager for dental care. After cleaning your dog's teeth using your chosen method, reward them with a treat for cooperating, then praise and pet them to associate dental care with a positive experience.
- Use a cheerful and enthusiastic tone to motivate your dog. Your furry friend will feel excited about teeth cleaning.
- Praise your dog as you would when rewarding good behavior. For example, say "Good job!"
- Treats should make up about 10% of your dog's daily calorie intake.
Use coconut oil to prevent tartar buildup on your dog's teeth.
Combat plaque and tartar with the antibacterial properties of coconut oil. Pour 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil onto a soft-bristled dog toothbrush. Brush your dog's teeth in circular motions for about 2 minutes. Remember to praise your pup after brushing.
- For optimal results, brush your dog's teeth with coconut oil once daily.
- To save effort, avoid giving your dog too many snacks, as this will require more frequent cleaning.
- Play a game, like fetch, to keep your dog excited during brushing.
- Consult your vet first to ensure coconut oil is safe for your dog's diet—it may not be ideal if your dog needs to lose weight.
- Mix coconut oil into your dog's food to enhance its tartar-fighting effects.
Spray mouthwash on your dog's teeth to keep them clean.
Chlorhexidine, the main ingredient in mouthwash, kills bacteria and prevents tartar. Lift your dog's lips and spray a drop of mouthwash on both sides of their cheeks. Their saliva will mix with the mouthwash, coating their teeth and gums to prevent plaque and tartar.
- Most chlorhexidine mouthwashes for dogs are flavored, so your dog will likely enjoy the process.
- With its antibacterial properties, mouthwash also freshens your dog's breath.
- Specially formulated mouthwashes disinfect, prevent plaque, and protect against gum disease.
- Play with and pet your dog after using mouthwash to make the experience positive!
Add a dental care solution to your dog's drinking water to reduce tartar.
Dental care solutions keep your dog's water clean and kill bacteria that cause tartar. First, ask your vet if they recommend using a dental care solution daily. If approved, follow the product label and add the recommended amount to your dog's water.
- As your dog drinks, the solution acts as a mouthwash to clean their gums and teeth.
- Many dental care solutions are odorless, so your dog won't even notice a difference.
- Rinse your dog's water bowl after each use to maintain hygiene.
- This product kills bacteria, preventing both tartar and oral infections.
- Your vet will advise if your dog's health conditions or medications interact with the dental solution.
Take your dog to the vet annually for a professional teeth cleaning.
Most veterinarians recommend annual dental cleanings to prevent tartar buildup. If your dog already shows signs of heavy tartar, schedule a vet visit for a thorough cleaning. The vet will clean your dog's teeth under anesthesia to remove all tartar.
- Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining your dog's oral health, just like for humans!
- If tartar builds up too quickly, you may need to visit the vet every six months.
- Routine professional cleanings make it easier to manage tartar at home with other methods.
