Exactly one year ago today I started the Yuck Mouth Revolution by urging my fellow dogs to stand up for their dental hygiene rights!  Ok, so it wasn’t a revolution per se, because there weren’t any rallies, catchy slogans, or even celebrity endorsements.  But I still think it is a good idea.  So today I would like to remind dogs of this call to action to avoid Yuck Mouth and continue the revolution!

How many times have we silently stood by and watched our owners meticulously brush their teeth, while our teeth felt fuzzy?  Or what about when we try to kiss our humans, only to have our affections thwarted with an exclamation of “eeew dog breath!”  These crimes against dog dental hygiene must stop!  We need to tell our owners to brush our teeth!  Dogs it is time we unite and take a stand against Yuck Mouth!

Now I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t want my human’s dirty hands in my mouth!  They pick up my poop!”  I understand, and normally I would recommend doing it ourselves.  But the lack of thumbs really does become a hinderance here.  We really do need our humans’  help when it comes to brushing our teeth.  Oh sure there are chew toys designed to help remove plaque build up and promote healthy gums.  However, a good teeth brushing is also very important to keep our teeth healthy and strong, not to mention give us better breath.  So next time you are at a pet store, drag your parents over to the dental hygiene section where they will find toothbrushes and toothpaste specially designed for dogs’ teeth.  Whatever you do, don’t let them use their toothpaste on you.  It has fluoride which is poisonous for dogs.  Besides, human toothpaste does not come in nifty flavors like peanut!

If you or your owners are not comfortable with the idea of them brushing your teeth, you can always ask your Vet to do it.  Your Veterinarian can also give your parents good advice on the proper technique to make it a more enjoyable experience for both of you, as well as suggest chew toys that may be better than others.  So take a stand and let’s unite for the Yuck Mouth Revolution!  And as luck would have it February is Pet Dental Health Month, so no better time than the present to start!  Vive la révolution!