Keeping my cuspids pearly white

February is National Pet Health Month! What better time to talk about canine dental hygiene than now, woof woof woof!

Canine dental hygiene is a daily pain in my tail. I really do not like a toothbrush in my mouth. I hate saying "aaahhhhhh" when my mom says "aaahhhhhh." I am not a fan of the toothbrush being placed in my mouth. But, I wake up each morning and brush my teeth to keep my cuspids pearly white and my mouth free from periodontal disease.

Brushing my teeth is only one part of my canine dental hygiene regiment. My mommy insists that I eat crunchy food for breakfast and dinner. I also eat crunchy treats too. The crunchy food and treats keeps my teeth cleaner when compared to eating only soft food and treats.  Some of my favorite crunchy treats are from Polka Dog Bakery, Kona's Chips, Blue Dog Bakery, and Merricks. They all taste wooftastic and are super doggity crunchy.

mother hen mix from Polka Dog Bakery

I also visit my vet every four years for a dental cleaning. I went in for my first dental cleaning last year. I was told my teeth looked furbulous and I had very little build up. Mommy was happy to hear this since it meant my daily teeth brushings were working. Thanks Pet's Friend Animal Clinic for giving me an extra pearly white smile!

My before and after shots from my dental cleaning.

I like the poultry flavor of my toothpaste. Mom gives me a few licks of the toothbrush to remove any remaining toothpaste. That is my favorite part of my daily teeth brushings. I love chicken and therefore like any chicken flavorings in my toothpaste. I have used Sentry HC Petrodex enzymatic toothpaste since I was 8 weeks old. I found it at my local petstore and it has works well in keeping my cuspids clean and my breath poultry tasting and poultry fresh. Woof woof!

My brother and I both use the KissAble toothbrush by Cain & Able. Solo recently upgraded to this three-way toothbrush. His puppy mouth was too small for the large toothbrush head. Mommy had to wait until his mouth was big enough for the size and shape of the toothbrush. He currently uses the three-way toothbrush each morning with comfort and ease.

Solo and his big boy toothbrush

I like this toothbrush because it takes less time to brush my teeth. In one stroke, mom can brush all three sides of my teeth. Even thought I am an adult dog, I still have to open up wide to compensate for the large brush head but the quick cleaning is worth it.

I love showing off my pearly whites!

I also like the hugs and kisses from mommy after my teeth are brushed. She sometimes gives me a hard crunchy treat if I am extra still and open up my mouth wide. I am sometimes in a grumpy mood in the morning and don't like to hold my mouth open. When this happens mommy takes out a crunchy treat and places the treat in front of me. Mommy says "aaahhhh," I loose up my jaw, and I help mommy open my mouth. Once the brushing is over, I eat my crunchy furbulous reward. Yum!

Every canine has his or her own vices and quirks when brushing their teeth. For example, my brother always tilts his head to the side when mom puts the brush in his mouth. I used to chewy on the brush when I first started brushing my teeth too. With lots of patients and daily practice our teeth brushing regimen became easier for mommy and both of us.

We recommend every mommy and daddy start brushing your pup's teeth daily. It not only monds you with your pup but also keeps our cuspids pearly white!

Keep wandering and brushing those teeth. Woof!

portraits by Vernon