Brushes and cleansers for dogs are important for their health, but their needs are specific. Understand this, and you will be able to keep your pet's teeth in good shape.
Things to consider: Toothpaste requirements, types of brushes and cleansers, and getting your dog accustomed to work in and around his mouth.
For Dog's Only - Brushes and cleansers for humans are different from brushes and cleansers for dogs. Though this sounds obvious, it needs to be stated for a number of different vital dog health care reasons. Here is one -- dogs cannot spit, and since human toothpaste is not edible, a dog can get sick from swallowing it. That is why proper dog dental care requires special toothpaste for dogs.
Trial & Error - Finger brushes are an excellent dog dental care alternative, if your dog is uncomfortable letting you stick a regular sized dog toothbrush into her mouth. There are many different flavors of cleansers and toothpastes you can try if your dog is not happy with your first selection. Do not force a dog to accept brushes and cleansers that he finds distasteful or uncomfortable. Dog dental care needs to be a pleasant part of your dog's routine. In addition, there are enough different combinations of brushes and cleansers for you to try that, with a little trial and error, you are bound to find one that your dog will accept.
Get Used To It - Get your dog adjusted to you handling her mouth, holding it open, looking into it, and moving your fingers over her teeth and gums, etc. before you start her on any program of dog dental care that uses brushes and cleansers.
