Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Everyone loves getting excited tail wags and kisses from their playful pooch when they get home. But what happens if your dog’s breath brings tears to your eyes?

The good news is that doggy breath can be a thing of the past with our range of dog toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and tooth gel. Just like humans, dog teeth cleaning is an important part of your pet’s routine care and helps keep their teeth shiny white and smelling fresh. 

Why does my dog’s breath smell? 

Without a doubt, the most common cause of smelly breath in dogs is periodontal disease, and it all starts with bacteria that live in your dog’s mouth. It is normal to have some bacteria, but without regular teeth cleaning, it builds up leading to the formation of thick plaque and tartar. Over time the gums, teeth, and even the bone become affected, leading to painful, rotten teeth, and some very smelly doggy breath!

Small and toy breeds, those that hate chewing, and those with jaw malformations and misaligned teeth can develop this disease faster than others, but most dogs will have some sign of dental disease by age three.

Other medical issues can also cause a sudden change in your dog’s breath, so the first step is to get them checked by your vet.  

Do dogs really need teeth cleaning?

Now we know why your dog’s breath can be smelly, let’s learn how to improve it. Routine oral care is very important in dogs to prevent the development of dental disease. Luckily, there are many simple treatments that you can introduce at home to help, including brushing your dog's teeth with a toothbrush and toothpaste and using mouthwash, or additives in their water bowl.

We understand that the thought of having to brush your dog’s teeth can be overwhelming and it is hard to know where to start! Fortunately, with the right tools, this task can be quick and easy.  Read on to learn more and head over to the FirstVet shop to find something that suits you and your pooch.

Remember, your dog will still need their teeth checked every year at their annual veterinary visit, and every so often they will need to have a good scale and polish, just like us. 

How can I keep my dog’s teeth clean? 

We have learned that regular brushing with a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste helps reduce the levels of bacteria in the mouth so that it takes longer to form into plaque and tartar. Many dogs can be trained to accept teeth cleaning, the key is to start slowly and reward often, and make it part of your pet’s routine care at home.  Choose a toothbrush and toothpaste that they like, it might take some experimenting to get the combination right. 

Toothbrushes 

A dog toothbrush can come in many forms, from a finger brush that slips over your pointer finger, to brushes with 360-degree bristles, to a long-handled brush that lets you scrub those hard-to-reach teeth. It’s safe to say that there is a toothbrush to suit every pooch. 

Toothpaste 

It is important to only use dog-specific products for brushing your dog’s teeth. It is not safe to use human toothpaste, as it can contain toxic compounds and make them sick. Luckily, dog toothpaste comes in many amazing doggy flavours from beef, to liver, to peanut butter, making teeth cleaning time a real treat!

For those sassy, argumentative pups that might not let you near them with a brush, dog tooth gel and dog mouthwash can be great alternatives to try.  

Taking care of your dog’s teeth is a very important part of their healthcare routine at home, and it doesn’t have to be hard. With a variety of toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash, and tooth gel, we will have a solution to suit you and your special friend.