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 owners, only to have our affections thwarted with an exclamation of “ewwww 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!” 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 owners’ 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, nothing compares to a good teeth brushing. 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!
