Tartar control biscuits, bones, and chew-eez can help reduce tartar buildup above the gumline, but only regular brushing can reach the crtical areas below the gumline. Owners should brush their dog's teeth at least twice a week. Brushing a dog's teeth is easier than brushing your own. Their narrow teeth are spaced more widely than human teeth, eliminating the need for flossing. Their teeth only touch in one or two places.
Toothpaste Always use a specially formulated dog toothpaste.
Because dogs can't rinse and spit after a brushing, the paste must be safe for pets to swallow. Some human toothpastes contain detergents which can irritate pets' stomachs, and, in addition, large quantities of ingested fluoride can harm pets. A typical dog toothpaste is chicken or beef-flavored and contains water, sorbitol, silica, cellulose gum, Trisodium EDTA, Methylparaben, propylparaben, and titanium dioxide. Toothbrush Most dog dental kits contain a toothbrush and toothpaste, sold together. If using a human toothbrush, pick a soft, nylon bristle, and, for a smaller dog, child-sized brush.