Dog dental care is often ignored by dog owners unless the dog develops a dental problem. Routine dental care can prevent dental problems. A dogs teeth should be brushed every day.

The buildup of plaque and tartar causes dental disease and infections of the mouth. Eating can become painful for a dog with dental disease. The risk of dental disease is dramatically reduced by routine teeth brushing.

Veterinary dog dental care is an annual or semi-annual cleaning which removes plaque and tartar that the owner may not be able to remove. The dogs teeth can also be inspected for problems during this time.

Getting a dog used to regular teeth brushing is easiest if started while the dog is a puppy. Some adult dogs resist the cleaning of their teeth.

Some dog dental care products are designed specifically for dogs that resist teeth brushing. Finger brushes are small toothbrushes that fit on the dog owners finger. They often have soft, rubber projections instead of bristles.

If a dog resists the use of a finger brush, a warm washcloth can be used to wipe the dogs teeth. After the dog learns to relax when this is done, the dog owner may be able to start using a finger brush or childs soft toothbrush.

Toothpaste made for human consumption can make a dog sick. Special dog toothpaste is available at many pet stores.

Dog dental treats and food are may help, but should not be considered an effective alternative to teeth brushing. There is considerable debate over the effectiveness of dental treats for dogs. Feeding the dog dry food instead of canned or semi-moist food is thought to be better for health.

Some dog rope toys and bones are designed to improve dog dental health. While these may help, dog teeth brushing is still the best way to ensure proper dog dental hygiene.

As the dog ages, the dogs teeth wear down. This is a common condition that is usually left untreated. If the tooth wear causes difficulty for the dog, the veterinarian may make suggestions for treatment.