Friday 5 October 2018 is World Smile Day®
The idea came from a man called Harvey Ball, a commercial artist from Worcester, Massachusetts. He was also the guy who created the now ubiquitous Smiley Face emoji – way back in 1963.
The purpose of the day is to encourage smiling and acts of kindness across the globe.
In order to make sure your dog’s smile is up to the challenge you should look after his teeth on a regular basis.
Signs and symptoms
Some indicators of possible problems with your dog’s dental health:
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Discoloured teeth
- Difficulty eating
- Pus and abscesses
- Broken teeth
- Too much salivation
Deal with these problems as soon as possible as poor dental health can lead to other health issues.
Perseverance pays off
Generally speaking, brushing your dog’s teeth is the best way to prevent tartar build-up and ward off dental disease.
In particular, you can help your dog by beginning dental maintenance early. However, do wait until your dog has all his adult teeth – at around 6 months old – before using a toothbrush.
Don’t be put off if your dog seems reluctant. In fact, it may take around a month for your dog to get used to the routine. Persevere.
If your dog already displays tartar brushing alone won’t suffice. This calls for a dental scale and polish.
Consult your vet.
How to brush your dog’s teeth
Buy toothpaste specially formulated for dogs. Toothpaste made for humans is toxic to dogs.
For one week encourage your dog to come over to you to lick the toothpaste off your finger.
When your dog seems comfortable with this rub a little bit of the paste around his. Continue to do this for 7-10 days.
Next to move on to toothpaste on toothbrush. Encourage your dog to lick the toothpaste off the toothbrush. Again, persevere. Soon enough your dog will come to you to prompt you to enter into the routine.
Now you can move on to brushing your dog’s teeth. Do this very gently making sure that you remove all traces of plaque. Give your dog is small treat to reward his patience.
Do consult your vet at least once a year to get your dog’s oral health checked. Dental disease is progressive – prevention is better than cure.
Tags… Smile, brushing dogs’ teeth, dog toothpaste, dental health.
DISCLAIMER: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained here it is for educational purposes only. The writer of this article and Dog Hair Day can’t diagnose any physical, mental or behavioural condition in animals nor prescribe treatment. We urge you to consult your vet if you have any concerns about your dog.