By Katherine McKay
Katherine has credentials in Domestic Animal Science and Animal Grooming, with years of experience in all things pets. She hails from Canada and has been a writer for 5 years. When Katherine isn’t writing you can find her playing on her Xbox, listening to metal, and playing with her labrador/pitbull, Anastasia.

Most pet parents don’t know that pet dental care is just as important as regular trips to the vet, which in itself is crucial to the overall health and well-being of your pet. Veterinary dentistry is a large portion of the happy, long life of your pet, and educating yourself on what options are available, what you can do yourself, and what is important for both dogs and cats, among all pets and animals you may have, is just part of being a pet owner.

Doggy Dental Care

With so many products and services, both in and out of your vet’s office, dog dental care has never been easier. If you are unsure whether or not your dog needs to see your vet or dog dentist, pay close attention to both the signs listed below and your dog’s behavior recently.

If any of the signs below become relevant to your dog, bring him or her to seek dental care immediately:

• Swollen, red, bleeding, or painful looking gums
• Recent bursts of or full-fledged depression
• Pawing at the facial or mouth area
• Bad breath that is not mistaken with “kibble breath” or from eating anything that may cause it
• A change, no matter how small, in the chewing and/or eating habits
• Missing or misaligned teeth
• Discoloration, breakage, or crooked teeth that may cause issues with proper chewing
• Excessive drool
• Growths or bumps within the mouth or surrounding facial area
• Brownish yellow tartar crust within or along the dog’s gum line

Dog teeth cleaning is extremely important for the health of your dog but is not something that always needs to be done at the vet.

Cleaning Dogs Teeth at Home

Did you know that you’re able to clean your dog’s teeth at home using certain products and procedures? If not, and you’re a dog owner, then this information will definitely be something that you’ll want to pay close attention to.

Keeping your dog’s teeth and mouth clean between vet visits, but not as a dog dental cleaning solution entirely, can help keep your dog healthy and happy, and can even keep the vet bills to a minimum cost!

Finding a toothbrush for your pup is relatively easy. You can purchase one through your vet’s office, or go online and make a selection there. A lot of brands have products available on their websites, including brushes and paste, so it’s very easy to find what you’re looking for and make a purchase.

Remember that using toothpaste made for humans is extremely dangerous and should never be used on your dog. Fluoride is very toxic to animals, especially dogs, which is why there are specialty canine toothpaste available for purchase through your vet or online at a brand’s website.

How to Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Dog teeth cleaning is actually very easy to do, it’s the dogs that tend to have a problem with owners doing it, which is why it’s best to introduce the brushing of their teeth when they are a puppy so they can grow into it.

However, if you’re starting your dog at an older age, ensure that they are comfortable and that you do not make the experience a traumatic one. Be patient, safe, and do a good job.

Start by giving your dog a good burst of exercise so he or she is more likely to sit or lay nicely for you, and be aware that he or she might make a go for the brush itself once it’s in their mouth.

Start slow, brush gently, and look for signs of stress. If your dog becomes unresponsive, aggressive, agitated, or begins to cry, he or she is becoming too stressed out to move forward and you must stop.

If you don’t they will learn that when the toothbrush comes out, it’s time for them to hide, and that is the last thing you want.
If this is the first time you are doing this focus on the teeth only or just below the gum line.

Your dog’s gums may be a little sensitive, especially if he or she is having certain dental problems already, and keep an eye on whether or not the gums begin to bleed.

If your dog should emit a pain response for any reason, stop what you are doing and bring him or her to the vet immediately. Continuing could worsen whatever is going on in their mouth and that is the last thing you as a pet owner wants.

If you don’t end up getting their entire mouth the first time around that’s perfectly fine, breaking this type of activity in is new for your dog, considering it’s just like getting a child to get used to it, so be patient. After it’s been done a few times you can increase the amount you do it and for how long.

Tell him or her how good they are being, leave a treat that they will be able to see for after the teeth are done, and try your best to make this a positive experience.

The Best Doggy Dental Tools for Home Use

Because there is such a vast line of toothbrushes, toothpaste, dog dental treats, and other products that relate to the oral hygiene of dogs, selecting a brand and product can be extremely difficult if you don’t have a regular brand or have never shopped for one before.

Toothbrushes for Dogs

To start, dog toothbrush and the like are the best place to start and will be the foundation for good pet oral hygiene at home. Having a good toothbrush designed for dogs will ensure that your dog can avoid serious oral issues and could even cut your vet bill in half.

Boshel is one of the most trusted brands that can be found online when it comes to toothbrushes for dogs. They have brushes that range from simple to advanced dental care and will be one of the best dog toothbrush you could invest in.

Boshel has two dental brushes that are an absolute game changer. While their line may not be a large one, they are one of the most trusted brands for all things dog, so you will be able to trust in them fully and know your dog is getting the best.

Pet Republique is also another great choice brand for a dog toothbrush. They cater to both styles of toothbrush, being a finger slip or a stick brush, and are great for both beginner and advanced brushers. Pet Republique also donates 15% from each purchase to dogs and cats needing loving homes, which is great for your karma and caring heart.

Before selecting the proper brush, assess your skills in brushing your dog’s teeth and ask yourself the following questions:

• Have I done this before?
• Has my dog had his/her teeth brushed in the past?
• Will my dog exert aggressive or scared behavior based on their nature?
• Do I have a safe environment to brush his/her teeth in without worrying about nearby objects falling or anything dangerous occurring?

While these questions may seem silly, performing any type of dental or health-related procedure, no matter how minor, yourself is a very big thing. It must be done properly in an environment that is both safe for you and your dog.

Toothpaste for Dogs

Selecting the proper toothpaste is just as important, if not a tad more, than making a decision on a toothbrush. The reason for this is that the toothpaste has some ingredients that your dog may be allergic to, or is one that you want to put your trust in 100%. Like a toothbrush, dog toothpaste comes with a seemingly endless line of brands and products to choose from, especially when shopping online.

Going to your vet to find a trusted toothpaste for dogs brand can be expensive, so if you’re looking to save some money but still get a brand that will keep your dog’s mouth healthy, going online is your best bet.

Nylabone is one of the most trusted brands for both toothbrushes and toothpaste and is known to create value packs, such as their Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Natural Dental Kit, which is great for dogs. It’s a safe, natural kit that covers both bases, being a brush and paste. It incorporates Denta-C, which is a component that drastically improves canine teeth.

If you looking for a brand that offers value options, SENTRY Petrodex has you covered. They offer their Enzymatic Toothpaste as another option for a healthy, safe toothpaste. The enzyme properties in the toothpaste aid in controlling tartar and plaque growth while polishing the teeth to make them like new again.

Dog Dental Treats and Other Products

Keeping your dog’s mouth healthy and clean does not always mean brushing, you can actually buy specific treats and related products that will clean their teeth as they use and play with them. This makes cleaning incredibly simple, affordable, and fun for both you and your dog.

If your dog gets aggressive or too stressed out during any grooming procedure, which includes dental care, then the following products are the best way to incorporate a healthy mouth without spending too much at the vet.

GREENIES Original Dental Dog Treats are hands down one of the best cleaning alternatives next to brushing and are made for all sizes of dogs. Regular, large, petite, and teenie are all size options, and you can buy the boxes in.

These treats are one of the best choices for dog dental chews because they are nutritionally complete, help to fight tartar and plaque buildup, and improve the teeth and gums of your dog while he or she eats them.

Nylabone creates a wide range of products to help all pet parents with their pup’s oral health. Their Advanced Oral Care Liquid Tartar Remover is the best way to keep your dog’s mouth clean without brushing. All you do is add a small amount into their water by combining a single tablespoon of the remover with every 32 oz. of water.

You can give your dog as much as you want, even refilling up to three or more times per day, without worrying about any damage or side effects, which is good news for dogs who cannot stand having their teeth brushed.

The product works through the safe alteration of the pH levels through the saliva. It’s 100% safe, however, because all it does is ensure that your dog’s saliva is like a cannon, shooting bad breath, tartar formation, and plaque straight out of the water.

PEDIGREE Dentastix is also another great brand and product for dog dental treats. They offer great cleaning action in the form of a treat, come in multiple sizes, and cater to almost any flavor you can think of.

They come in Fresh, Beef, Original, Bacon, Beef & Original, and in a Variety pack. One treat a day is the equivalent of a good brushing session, with the X-shape aiding in reducing and eliminating tartar and plaque buildup.

With so many options for dental care besides brushing, with very reasonable prices, shopping online is the best place to go besides your vet. You have options that cater to all sizes, tastes, and even budgets. You can help yourself to save money with prevention by using these products.

Dental Care Costs at the Vet for Dogs

Even though you can take care of your dog’s dental health at home, it’s still very important to bring your dog regularly to the vet to examine their oral and general health.

However, knowing a typical cost before actually going to your vet will help you in your planning and ensure that you don’t get too blindsided by your bill before you leave. The typical dog dental care cost can be a high one, as any regular bill would be, but keep the following information in mind.

The Cost of Pulling a Tooth

If your vet has recommended that your dog has a tooth pulled, it’s for a very good reason. Whether it’s because of advanced periodontal that has led to tooth decay, or the complete destruction of a tooth, it’s important to know why and how much this is going to cost you. If your vet has indeed recommended the removal, there is definitely nothing you can do on your side as the owner to repair it from home.

The cost can vary based on where you live and certain factors in the mouth that may be a complication, such as any current abscesses, which are fairly common with dogs and will require antibiotics after the tooth has been pulled.

Based on any the door fee, the fee for the procedure itself, complications, the medication that will be needed before and after the procedure, and any after care provided by the vet, you are looking at a price that sits between $200 to $600.

Your vet should be walking you through the process of what he or she will be doing, which could include sedation, for example, that will help you outline what to expect in your bill. Ask your vet about the various costs that will be involved when going over what the procedure will entail and calculate it in your head so you know what to expect.

The Cost of Cavities in Dogs

Dogs develop cavities just like humans do and must be treated mostly the same. There are multiple ways your dog can develop a cavity, including the reasons listed below:

• Teeth that have abnormally formed too close together
• A low salivary pH level
• Tooth enamel that is poorly minimized
• A poor diet that is high in fermented carbohydrates
• Gaps between the teeth and the gums
• Poor hygiene or health overall

When it comes to determining the cost of cavity, your vet can lay everything out for you as one would normally do so. As well, if your dog is any of the breeds listed below, you should have him or her checked out more often at the vet for dental issues because these specific breeds are at a higher risk than others:

• English or French Bulldog
• Shih Tzu
• Brussels Griffon
• Chihuahua
• Lhasa Apso
• Pomeranian
• Pug
• Full, Miniature, or Toy Poodle
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Dachshund

Depending on the means deemed necessary to take by your vet, such as in-office care, for example, and any other factors, you’re looking at paying from $500 to $1500 to have a cavity fixed by your dog’s vet.

The Cost to Clean Your Dog’s Teeth

Cleaning your dog’s teeth at home is very important, but having them professionally cleaned at the vet’s at least once a year is definitely necessary for the oral and general well-being of your dog.

Because each vet has different prices for door fees, additives during the procedure, the procedure itself, etc, getting a set estimate is something that is not easily done. However, most vets generally charge between $300 to $400 for the procedure itself, so check with your vet to find out the exact dog teeth cleaning cost with the procedure and added fees.