You can naturally clean your dog's mouth with things like coconut oil toothpaste, adding parsley or yogurt to food for fresh breath, using apple cider vinegar in water, and offering dental chews or raw antlers for abrasive cleaning, but always use dog-specific products for brushing and consult your vet, as professional cleanings are key for deep dental health.
Ways to Keep Your Dog's Teeth Clean
Raw bones help naturally remove tartar as dogs chew on them, promoting good dental health. They should be the right size for your dog and should not splinter when gnawed on.
One of the few ingredients that has scientific backing for canine dental benefits is chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine has antimicrobial properties that help to decrease the bacteria in your dog's mouth and disrupt the plaque formation process.
Brushing your dog's teeth regularly with dog-friendly toothpaste can prevent plaque buildup and improve breath. You can also consider dental chews designed to clean teeth and freshen breath.
Although halitosis can be caused by several underlying conditions, including kidney and liver disease and chronic bronchitis, it is most associated with dental issues. For dogs with advanced dental issues, the smell of canine halitosis is often described as being similar to the smell of rotten eggs.
Coconut oil.
A number of dog owners in search of toothpaste alternatives swear by using coconut oil in its place. Used the same way toothpaste is, owners apply it to a toothbrush or a finger brush and brush a dog's teeth and gums with it. It is said to help reduce gingivitis, kill harmful bacteria and improve breath.
Parsley: The chlorophyll in parsley has an odor-neutralizing effect. If your pooch won't chew on parsley, try adding some freshly chopped parsley to their food. Alternatively, steep a bunch of parsley in half a liter of water, and then use this as a spritz spray mouthwash.
Hydrogen Peroxide Rinse
Hydrogen Peroxide makes an excellent remedy for managing many oral health issues. Apart from its antibacterial properties, it also holds anti-fungal qualities. These properties make it effective for relief from tooth infections by managing bacterial growth.
8 Warning Signs of Pet Dental Disease
Some of the short snout dog breeds at risk for dental disease in this category include Bulldogs, Dogue de Bordeaux, Bullmastiff, Chow Chow, Neapolitan Mastiff, Boxer, Boston Terrier, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, English Toy Spaniel, Brussels Griffon, and the Affenpinscher, to name a few.
2) Fruits and Vegetables
A few favorites among dogs are carrots, apples and pumpkin which are all easy to eat and will not stick to the teeth. Along with the teeth-cleaning benefits of fruits and vegetables, they also contain antioxidants that help manage chronic oxidative stress which are known to cause periodontitis.
Tartar removing toothpaste, baking soda, white vinegar and aloe vera all have antimicrobial properties which both treat and prevent tartar. The remaining at-home remedies focus on preventing plaque from hardening.
Puppies are more adaptable, making it easier to incorporate brushing into their routine. But even if you've got an older dog, it's never too late to start. The key is patience, consistency, and using the right tools, like a dog-friendly toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste.
Using dog toothpaste that targets tartar control is an easy way to take action on tartar straight away. Typically the toothpaste contains abrasive ingredients and enzymes that break down the formation of tartar, making it easier to remove.
Gingivitis is caused by bacteria in the mouth that form dental plaque. Billions of bacteria slowly build up on the surface of the teeth, which eventually leads to bad breath, gum recession, tooth root abscesses, and the destruction of bone around the tooth roots.
Clove oil is one of the strongest natural antibiotics for tooth infections. Clove oil has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties that can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with a tooth infection.
Here's how:
Black tea contains polyphenols (mentioned above) that attack harmful bacteria in the mouth that cause gum disease and cavities. Green tea contains compounds that kill the bacteria leading to plaque.
To date, two natural antibiotics stand out from the pack: manuka honey and turmeric. Manuka honey is considered one of the strongest natural antibiotics for dogs. It is used to treat wounds and lesions. Manuka honey also helps reduce inflammation.
What should you use to brush your dog's teeth? You can buy enzymatic dog toothpaste and a brush or rubber thimble from your vet or pet shop. Enzymatic toothpaste helps break down plaque and reduces bad breath.
How to Clean Your Dog's Teeth Without Brushing
A few favorites among dogs are carrots, apples and pumpkin which are all easy to eat and will not stick to the teeth. Along with the teeth-cleaning benefits of fruits and vegetables, they also contain antioxidants that help manage chronic oxidative stress which are known to cause periodontitis.
Coconut oil is another healthy alternative to toothpaste. To use coconut oil for brushing, combine equal parts melted coconut oil with baking soda to make a paste. Use this toothpaste mixture to clean your dog's teeth.