... with an ultrasonic toothbrush & dog toothpaste
Our four-legged friends are not immune to dental disease either. Dogs can suffer from tartar, bad breath and gum inflammation just as we do. Food debris getting stuck between the teeth creates an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. The bacteria form plaque, and if this is not removed from the teeth, minerals from the saliva are deposited within it and harden into tartar. This process is the same in both humans and animals. Tartar has a rough surface, allowing further bacteria to adhere to it very easily and cause problems in the mouth. Poor hygiene allows the bacteria to cause bad breath and inflammation in the dog’s mouth. If this is not treated, it can develop into periodontitis, which in the worst-case scenario can lead to tooth loss. It is also possible for the inflammation to spread to the internal organs.
Dental care for dogs is therefore not only important for maintaining their teeth, but also for the animal’s general health. But how and with what should you brush your dog’s teeth? We’ll explain it to you.
Ultrasonic toothbrush for dogs
An ultrasonic toothbrush allows you to clean your dog’s teeth very thoroughly without damaging the enamel or gums. It is important, however, that the device operates without the bristles moving, or that this function can be switched off. If the device vibrates, the dog will not allow its teeth to be brushed – quite apart from the fact that dental cleaning for dogs should be as gentle as possible. The Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush was actually developed for human dental care, but can also be used on dogs. Many of our customers tell us that they use the Megasonex successfully on their dogs. The advantage of the Megasonex ultrasonic toothbrush is that the movement of the bristles can be switched off completely, whilst the ultrasonic function remains active. This means the dog is completely unaware of the toothbrush’s power. The ultrasonic vibrations break up the chains of bacteria on the teeth, which can then be easily brushed away. With regular use, plaque and tartar do not build up in the first place, meaning you do not have to subject your dog to tartar removal under general anaesthetic. When using the ultrasonic toothbrush on a dog, you should use a ‘soft’ bristle head. The bristles are particularly soft and rounded at the tips. This makes the risk of injury very low – in fact, virtually non-existent. The enamel isn’t scratched and the gums are protected. It’s best to get your dog used to having its teeth brushed from an early age. The Megasonex brush head is quite small, so it’s easy to use even on puppies and small dogs, and you can reach all areas of the mouth. To brush your dog’s teeth, gently lift the lips and glide the toothbrush over each individual tooth. Using gentle wiggling or circular movements, followed by a downward sweeping motion, you’ll remove the soft plaque. Once the plaque has been brushed away, it can no longer turn into tartar. If your dog absolutely refuses to have its teeth brushed with the ultrasonic toothbrush, you can also use a dental finger sleeve. These are also available with an antibacterial silver coating.
Dog toothpaste
Cleaning your dog’s teeth is even more effective if you use toothpaste. However, ordinary toothpaste for humans is not suitable. Dogs cannot tolerate all the ingredients and require a combination of mineralising, antibacterial and cleansing active ingredients, ideally of natural origin. Please therefore use special dog toothpaste. This is developed by vets and pharmacists and is tailored to the specific needs of dogs to ensure that their teeth are thoroughly cleaned and supplied with the necessary nutrients.
Just like with your own toothpaste, simply apply the dog’s toothpaste to the toothbrush. A thin layer is sufficient. Especially if you’re using an ultrasonic toothbrush, you should moisten the brush head beforehand. The ultrasonic vibrations require moisture to work more effectively.