Cleaning your dogs teeth.

You may have seen (or have) an older dog with teeth that are yellow or decayed. This can be the result of many things, but can be prevented by regular dental hygiene when he was younger. Cleaning your dog's teeth is not only important for his health, but for his appearance. Cleaning will remove plaque, making his gums healthier, teeth whiter, and it will curb his bad breath. How to clean his teeth? A regular toothbrush will work, for small dogs an infant brush will work better. Specialized dog toothbrushes will work best. These range from 3 headed brushes (to get left, top, and right sides of the tooth at the same time) to brushes that slip on your finger, for ease of cleaning. I found the latter to be easier, especially for small or squirmy dogs that won't stay still. You must be careful though not to use human toothpaste. Human toothpaste contains fluoride, plus many other chemicals that are harmful or fatal if swallowed. Canine toothpaste is readily available in "delicious" flavors, namely chicken and beef. It is safe for dogs to swallow and the meat flavor will probably keep your dog much happier. As an aid to brushing, scrapers and oral pads can be purchased, providing a more thorough cleaning. If your dog won't tolerate you poking around in his mouth, there are other products that reduce plaque, and freshen breath. These are also readily available and range from sprays, add in food/water, solutions, tablets, and dental chewies, edible or otherwise.These are usually very effective at reducing tarter and plaque. Also on the market are Doggie dental care kits, which can contain all or some of mentioned above, in one convenient package. All of these products should be stocked at your local pet store, some in different sizes for your dog. If they don't have what your looking for, you can always shop online! Happy Spring!