A common question many groomers are asked on the regular is: how often should one brush a dog’s teeth?

For many grooming questions, there is always the *ideal* answer, and then there’s the *realistic* answer. Let’s tackle both.

The reality is that if we brushed our dog’s teeth as often as we brushed our own teeth from puppyhood, our pets would have sparkly white choppers with minimal tartar and oral health issues – pretty much just like us. But with dogs being dogs (and let’s face it, humans being humans), this regular grooming regimen is not easy to follow, especially when dealing with our household pets.

Fortunately, pet health specialists have tackled some of these problems by providing us with alternative oral health options for our dogs that are easier to implement into our daily routines. Before we go into these options, let’s answer a few important questions as they pertain to professional grooming and pet wellness.

Is having my dog’s teeth brushed by the groomer every month enough?

For most dogs, the answer is simply *no*. Brushing dog’s teeth monthly will do very little to prevent plaque and tartar buildup nor stop tooth decay. Your pet may go home with fresher breath after a toothbrushing session with their groomer, but that is very short-lived. The truth is that maintaining proper oral health for your pets requires owner participation. But don’t run away, we can tackle this together!

If you look into your dog’s mouth and see decaying teeth, swollen gums, tartar buildup accompanied by terrible breath, it’s time to see your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may recommend a few courses of action depending on the state of the teeth and mouth (including extractions under sedation), but if you catch the problem early enough, the common professional deep cleaning options are usually one of the following two:

Medical Dental Cleaning Under Anesthesia

Your veterinarian and their staff may recommend administering anesthesia to thoroughly clean your pet’s teeth. You’ll see veterinarians recommend this for the most intensive cleaning for pets who tolerate anesthesia well.

Non-Anesthetic Dental Cleaning

Another option that may be available are non-anesthetic dentals, where a technician cleans your pet’s teeth without having them “go under.” Not every pet has the disposition for this type of cleaning, and some conditions may be too severe for this option.

Speak with your veterinarian about the pros and cons of each option and what would work best for your pet.

Now back to the world of Grooming, where our focus is to assist in the health and wellness of your pet through preventative grooming measures. Let’s go through some of the products and techniques available for the pet owner who understands that canine teeth require regular attention.

Tried and true, and something that most humans do for themselves daily (we hope!), the good ol’ toothpaste on a toothbrush and gently scrubbing the teeth and gums is the most basic option. Unfortunately, there are a few snags you may run into, like your pet not being a fan of the process and not shy to let you know. So, we become discouraged and drop the routine, which we know is not the right decision for our pets. Let’s dig deeper and find a solution that, although may not be better, will help slow down oral problems and is a zillion times better than doing nothing at all.

We should mention that there are two popular types of dog toothbrushes, one that looks like our traditional human toothbrush with a stalk and bristles, while the other style fits on your finger and has bristles or nubs so you can gently scrub.

Putting a dab of doggie toothpaste on your finger and running it along their teeth and gums on a regular basis is a wonderful way to assist in your dog’s oral health. Not as intensive nor effective as adding the toothbrush, but at minimum you are allowing the enzymes in the toothpaste to take action and break down some decay causing bacteria. Most dogs do not mind the finger in the mouth so much – but many do, so let’s keep digging for the perfect compromise that works best for your situation.

Looking for doggie toothpaste? Here’s one of our tested and true favorites:

If you have a pet that can handle a quick squirt with a spray, that’s ok, because getting the right product in their mouth helps a ton more than not contributing to the fight against oral bacteria. So, if you need to spray and go, here’s a dental spray that makes an impact:

A favorite option for many pet owners, dental treats are a fun way to reward your pet with a treat that is beneficial to their oral health! Many dogs are excited for their dental treat time (quite opposite from their reaction to teeth brushing time) making dental treats a fantastic option. We’ve got a lot of favorites in this category – make sure you choose the right size treat for your pet!

See, there are tons of solutions for canine oral health!

Wipes can be a great way to make dental attention fast and easy – which is important if your pet is fussy for mouth care. And it adds that bit of friction that really helps wipe off the start of tartar buildup. Some wipes are loaded with anti-microbial solutions to really assist in the fight against bacteria. Here’s some of our favorite wipes with added benefits:

Some dogs benefit from using water additives to promote better oral health. In a nutshell, you add a special solution to your dog’s water, and it helps keep your pet’s teeth and mouth in better condition. If you choose to try a water additive, make sure it is from a reputable brand with no odor or taste as to not interfere with your pet’s normal water intake.

There are a variety of toys and chews that can help with oral hygiene. Plus, many of these chews have nubs that massage and strengthen the gums while helping to scrape off tartar. And when choosing the right dental chew or toy, make sure to pay attention to the size so that it is not too large or small for your pet.

Now that you know all the options, you can see which one(s) work best for you and your pet! And you don’t need to just stick with one – mix up the occasional tooth brushing with a dental chew toy and a daily dental treat, or use a water additive and daily teeth wipe – mix and match and you are sure to find the right regimen for you.

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