Taste, Taste, & Taste
Ask yourself this question.
What kind of food do my pup like? Is it beef, chicken, peanut, or others?
Answering this question is important to avoid wasting money on buying a dog toothpaste that your dog cannot simply stand to put in its mouth. Always try to buy a dog toothpaste that has a flavor that your dog is comfortable with.
Whether it is the first time or the hundredth time that you choose to brush your dog’s teeth, you can never be sure of how he could possibly react to it. This is exactly why you need to choose dog toothpaste that tastes good.
A number of flavor options are available, for example, poultry, beef, vanilla, mint, peanut etc.
Related: Best Dog Dental Water Additives
Understanding The Ingredients Inside A Dog Toothpaste
Some of the common ingredients that should be present in dog toothpaste are as follow:
- Enzymes- they work to reduce the bacteria in your dog's mouth.
- Silica- gently removes plaque and tartar.
- Emulsifiers- help prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
- Sorbitol- sweetener to make it pleasant to taste.
Before you buy any product for your canine companion's oral use, always ensure that you are aware of the ingredients that are present.
Never buy anything that you are not sure about or have questions about.
Ingredients like tea tree oil, propylene gel, etc need careful supervision so always ask your vet if they are safe to use on your pet.
It is better to stay away from dog toothpaste that is abrasive or has artificial sweeteners in them. When you buy a new brand of dog toothpaste, make sure you are buying the smallest tube unless it has been recommended by your vet.
This will help you save money and trips to the vet if your dog doesn't like it or is allergic to it.
Can You Use Human Toothpaste For Your Dogs?
Short answer, NO.
Dogs have a tendency to swallow the dog toothpaste. These could contain ingredients that are toxic when ingested.
Fluoride is one example.
It is highly toxic for both adult dogs and puppies. It could potentially harm your dog's system.
Always use dog toothpaste that is specially designed for dogs.
Plaque And Tartar Control? What's That?
Have you ever noticed a thin film-like substance on your dog’s teeth?
What begins like that is popularly known as plaque but goes on to become tartar that could easily ruin your dog’s teeth. While plaque can be brushed off your dog’s teeth within 36 hours, tartar is the kind of deposit that fails to be washed off since it hardens over time.
If you allow the plaque and tartar to stay back for a while, it can build around your dog’s teeth for longer periods of time and you could easily invite infection. This can further lead to the surrounding tissues and bony sockets to destruction.
This is exactly why tartar control is so important. Whenever you shop for dog toothpaste, always look for ingredients that can naturally prevent plaque and tartar buildup.
Dogs Can Develop Gum Disease Too
Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum diseases in your dog. If your dog suffers from gum disease, you can expect inflamed and swollen gums that could go on to be very painful. You might notice that these dogs find everyday activities quite uncomfortable like chewing on toys, eating, playing fetch etc.
While there is still a lot of research going on to treat canine gum diseases, the only thing that veterinarians recommend is brushing your dog’s teeth regularly with dog toothpaste that has ingredients to prevent gum irritation etc. Ingredients like aloe vera, baking soda, etc are the ones that you should look out for.
Importance Of Brushing Your Dog’s Teeth
There is no doubt about the fact that the best dog toothpaste will improve your dog's oral as well as general health. However, the best way to ensure that is to brush your dog’s teeth regularly. If you cannot do it every day, try to do it three or four times a week at least.
What you should know here is that poor oral health can be detrimental to your dog's health in a number of ways.
The bacteria present in your pooch's mouth can travel into its bloodstream and cause harm to its organs.
It could also cause unpleasant breath that again tends to isolate your dog from others.
All these could have an adverse reaction on your pup's oral health and personality which is why investing in the best dog toothpaste and brushing regularly with it is highly recommended.
Do Certain Foods Cause Dental Decay?
Yes, absolutely!
Certain foods lead to a faster plaque and tartar buildup and bacteria. The most notorious example is dry food (kibble). Avoid feeding your pet readymade food and offer more variety in the form of raw food such as carrots.
If possible, supplement your dog's diet with raw meaty bones. These bones have a mildly abrasive surface which helps to remove the dental plaque and tartar buildup around their teeth.
