Right now your puppy still has baby teeth which will be replaced by shiny white adult teeth around 5-6 months of age. You should start brushing your puppy’s teeth now so he learns to accept it and you can then get started on preventing dental disease.
Dental disease is one of the most common disorders diagnosed on wellness exams. It is estimated that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of 3 year old suffer from some degree of periodontal disease. Consider this: every time your pet chews bacteria is showered into the bloodstream. This then lodges in the kidneys, liver, lungs and heart causing damage and disease. In addition, open fractures, tooth root abscesses and worn teeth are painful and can act as a constant source of discomfort for your dog.
It is ideal to brush your dog’s teeth at least 3-4 times a week. There are various veterinary toothbrushes you can try or you can use a child’s toothbrush. It is very important that you never use human toothpaste as this is not designed to be swallowed. Instead try one of the tasty chicken or beef flavored veterinary toothpaste that is available.
Something else to keep in mind is how damaging tennis balls are to your dog’s teeth. They are essentially just like letting your dog chew on sandpaper and will quickly grind down teeth exposing the pulp cavity. This results in chronic pain and a possible tooth root abscesses.
