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Read Our Review |
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Read Our Review |
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Read Our Review |
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Read Our Review |
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In case you didn’t know, having a million-dollar smile isn’t only important to us humans! Our mutts love dazzling gnashers and a fresh breath too. Just like we need to keep our teeth healthy and cavity-free, we should be giving our dog’s teeth just as much attention, if not more. It’s not as though they can get a set of false teeth when theirs fall out.
Dental disease is extremely common in dogs with 80% being affected by the age of three. This is a shocking statistic, especially considering how easy it is to keep their teeth clean. So what causes dental disease in dogs and what can you do to prevent it?
Bacteria over time turns into plaque, which sticks to the teeth’s surface. Plaque becomes tartar that spreads under the gum line and the bacteria under the gum line starts releasing toxins which eventually results in tissue damage. The frightening thing, other than your doggy’s death breath, are the associated health problems.
We are going to look at some dog finger toothbrush and toothpaste kits and then you can decide for yourself which is the best toothbrush for dogs.
Best Dog Toothbrushes: Our Recommendations
10 Pack Soft Silicone Pet Finger Toothbrush
When it comes to keeping your dog’s teeth in tip-top condition, the budget shouldn’t have to be a concern, which is the 10 Pack Soft Silicone Pet Finger Toothbrush is such a great option. The silicone finger toothbrushes are safe and non-toxic to use as often as you like. They measure about 5.5 centimetres high with a diameter of approximately 2.2 centimetres. They’re easy to use and you can get to all the teeth without causing your dog any kind of discomfort.
Suitable for all breeds, there are 10 silicone finger brushes in a pack and they’re reusable, although vets recommend replacing toothbrushes at least once a month.
AIDIYA Dog Triple Headed Toothbrush
The AIDIYA Dog Triple Headed Toothbrush makes keeping your dog’s teeth a painless and hassle-free experience. It has an ergonomically designed rubber handle that allows you to move it around without it slipping and even an absolute novice can use it. It removes particles from treats and dental disease-causing bacteria from the inside and outside of his teeth, as well as the top.
The toothbrush is used by professional groomers to keep your pet’s teeth clean and decay-free, and it meets the strictest dog grooming standards. It gives you quality dental-care, at a fraction of the price and you can use it at home.
Trixie 2561 Dental Care Kit, dog, White
The Trixie Dental Care Kit is an all-in-one solution with a tube of mint and bone meal toothpaste, a finger toothbrush as well as a double-ended toothbrush. The silicone massaging finger toothbrush is perfect for dogs with sensitive gums or those who really don’t like the idea of traditionally shaped toothbrushes, while the double-ended brush keeps molars and incisors clean and free from tartar build-up.
The toothpaste combines mint for freshness and bone meal for flavour, and it’s an affordable kit that offers excellent value for money. Our suggestion is to start cleaning your dog’s teeth from as young as possible, using the finger brushes first, and then slowly moving onto the double-ended brush.
Arm & Hammer Advanced Care Tartar Control Beef Flavoured Toothpaste and Brush Set
Another affordable and effective set for keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy is the Arm & Hammer Advanced Care Tartar Control Beef Flavoured Toothpaste and Brush Set. It’s an advanced brush and toothpaste that cleans and whitens dogs’ teeth and gets his breath fresh.
The enzymatic toothpaste is made using baking soda which makes teeth white and it neutralizes any bad odours. For your convenience, there is a dual-headed toothbrush as well as a finger brush. Arm & Hammer have been in the business of making oral care products for pets for more than 150 years, so you know it’s a name you can trust. This is definitely one of the best dog toothbrush and toothpaste kits.
Faburo 12Pcs Dog Teeth Cleaning Set
The Faburo 12Pcs Dog Teeth Cleaning Set includes 1- finger brushes and 2 dual-sided toothbrushes to keep your dog’s teeth clean, germ and plaque free, and maintain a fresh breath. The toothbrush is made from silica gel that is safe for your pet and kind on the environment, while the finger brushes are tear resistant and have good ventilation.
This kit is ideal for responsible pet owners who want to keep their dog’s teeth healthy without breaking the bank as its just a dog finger toothbrush and toothpaste.
Which Dog Breeds Does Dental Disease Affect?
All dogs can be affected by dental issues, but there some breeds that more predisposed to the condition. These include:
- Yorkies – retained baby (or deciduous) teeth, a condition called enamel hypoplasia where there is no enamel or it dissolves
- Maltese – they experience the development of teeth and like Yorkies, have retained baby teeth
- Greyhounds – they suffer from enamel hypoplasia
- Pugs, Chihuahuas, and Cavaliers – they have an underbite, crowding, and sideways teeth
- Bulldogs and Boxers – Boxers and Bulldogs have an underbite and crowding of teeth
- Chinese Crested – their teeth have shallow roots and grow in soft
It goes without saying that if you have any of these breeds, extra care should be taken to look after their teeth but for a fresh breath, as well as healthy teeth and gums, your dog needs his very own toothbrush and toothpaste, regular brushing and dental check-ups at the vet.
Choosing a Toothbrush for Your Dog
Just like we have different sized toothbrushes, with different bristle textures as well as features, so do dogs. There are various sizes to suit small, medium and large breeds. And there are different shapes too. Ideally, you want a toothbrush that is at a comfortable angle for your dog’s mouth.
Let’s take a look at what else you need to consider.
No Sharing of Toothbrushes
Yes, you love your dog and he loves you too, but sharing toothbrushes is never a good idea. And recycling by giving your pet your old one isn’t an option either. Dog toothbrushes are exactly that, toothbrushes for dogs. They’re specifically designed for the shape of their mouth and their teeth. It’s not up for discussion.
Size Always Matters
Size always matters good people, always, even when it comes to your dog’s toothbrush. More often than not, whether you get a big or small toothbrush for your pooch will be proportionate to his size. So, a big dog will need a big toothbrush and a smaller dog will need a small one.
Trying to use a large brush in a small breed’s mouth is going to cause more damage while brushing your giant breed’s teeth with a small brush isn’t going to be very effective at all.
The Length Matters Too
No matter how intelligent or self-sufficient your dog is, he’s not going to be brushing his own teeth, you are. The handle of the brush should be long enough that you don’t have to get your hand too deep into his mouth unless you’re using a finger toothbrush.
Soft is Better Than Hard
The bristles are also important and soft-bristled brushes are best, regardless of how much plaque and tartar is on your dog’s teeth. Hard bristles will only damage the gums; they won’t do a better job of removing the build-up and there will be blood.
Easy Does It
The easier it is to brush your dog’s teeth the happier you’ll be to do it, and the happier he’ll be. This will make the process more of a pleasure and it’ll be easier to maintain the routine.
What Types Of Toothbrushes Are There?
You get different types of toothbrushes for dogs including:
- Single-head toothbrushes
- Double-ended toothbrushes
- Double-Headed Toothbrushes
- Finger toothbrushes
- Glove toothbrushes
Single Head Toothbrushes:
These are exactly the same as the ones we use, but the head is angled to fit a dog’s mouth better. The bristles should be soft and the brush should slide along your dog’s jawline.
A similar idea to human toothbrushes, but with an angled head to better fit a dog’s mouth.
Double-Ended Toothbrushes:
Two heads are always better than one, even when it comes to brushing teeth. They usually have a small head one end of the brush and a larger one on the other side and lets you switch between molars and incisors like an award-winning baton-twirler.
Double-Headed Toothbrushes:
This particular brush combines the best of single and double-ended toothbrushes, with two heads at one end that ‘wrap’ around the teeth, cleaning the back and the front at the same time. These are great if your dog isn’t very fond of brushing as it gets the job done in half the time.
Triple-headed Toothbrushes:
A triple-headed toothbrush is the same as a single head and a double head except it’s got three heads. This brush allows you to brush the outside, the inside and the top teeth all at the same time.
In our opinion it’s better suited to larger breeds, as small dogs will probably hate having all that ‘junk up in their grill’.
Finger Toothbrushes:
Finger toothbrushes are the perfect way to to get your dog used to brushing or for pets who prefer a finger in their mouth instead of an alien-looking device. Finger brushes clean well and give you excellent control, so you know if you’re brushing too hard or too soft.
Glove Type Toothbrushes:
A glove toothbrush is also a finger brush but instead of a silicone tip, it is a coarse fibre. This is much gentler on your dog’s teeth and gums and you’re able to feel where you’re brushing and what kind of pressure you’re using.
Like finger toothbrushes, glove-type brushes are ideal for small dogs and for dogs who hate having their teeth brushed.
Summary
Keeping your dog’s teeth isn’t an expensive exercise, but waiting until there is a problem with his teeth could cost you a small fortune in vet’s fees. It’s easy to get a routine going that’ll keep your pet and bank balance happy.
Do you have a favourite or best dog toothbrush that you think we should know about? Tell us in the comments section.