When was the last time you looked at your dog’s teeth? I mean REALLY looked at them–not just the outside surfaces that you see when you pull up his lips, but the inner surfaces and in between. What do you see? Do you see shiny white teeth? Or do you see yellowed teeth with a brownish buildup?

A healthy mouth and teeth are as essential to a dog’s overall health as they are to a human’s. Neglecting your dog’s dental health can lead to all kinds of problems, including serious infections and kidney issues. Unfortunately, many dogs exhibit signs of periodontal disease as early as age two years. Obviously, you can’t teach your dog to brush his own teeth–after all, he doesn’t have thumbs, so it’s impossible for him to hold a toothbrush. So how do you keep your dog’s mouth and teeth healthy?

The first thing you should do is have your veterinarian take a look at your dog’s teeth. He will be able to tell you what kind of buildup (if any) is on your pup’s teeth and how severe the problem is. He will also check for broken, decayed, or abcessed teeth and advise what needs to be done to treat these issues. (You need to be aware that a broken tooth can lead to an abcess, which must be drained and treated with antibiotics. If you notice a swelling in your dog’s cheek or under his eye, or if he seems reluctant to eat, or if he paws at his mouth, he may have an abcess. If this is not treated promptly, the infection may enter his bloodstream and travel to different parts of his body.)

So you’ve seen your vet, and he tells you that your dog’s teeth are in good shape–for now. Your next step is to keep them healthy, so if you’re not doing this already, you should start brushing your dog’s teeth daily. If you haven’t already been doing this, it’s going to take some time for Fido to get used to it. You will need either a baby toothbrush or one designed especially for dogs. There’s a type that fits over your finger and has soft rubber bristles which may be easier for your dog to accept and may give you more control. Our two dogs have their own toothbrushes that resemble human toothbrushes, with Tara’s being smaller because she has a smaller muzzle than Cosmo. Their toothbrushes actually have four heads, so all surfaces of the teeth get brushed at the same time. This really speeds up the process, but Cosmo has a tendency to bite down on the brush, so he’s broken a couple of them. Overall, they’re pretty durable.

Next, you’ll need a toothpaste meant for dogs. PLEASE don’t use toothpaste meant for humans! There’s a reason why you’re not supposed to swallow the toothpaste when you brush your own teeth–fluoride is a poison. Now try telling your dog not to swallow…I think you get the picture. Doggie toothpastes are available in a few different flavors, such as peanut butter and chicken. Although we would probably think these taste disgusting (and I’m not about to verify that statement), dogs seem to love them. (Actually, Cosmo would rather skip the toothbrushing part of the process and just eat the toothpaste.)

If your dog needs to get used to toothbrushing, start out by just putting your index finger in his mouth and gently rubbing his teeth and gums. Once he readily accepts your finger in his mouth, put a little bit of doggie toothpaste on your finger and repeat the process. When he’s used to this, try gently rubbing his teeth with the toothbrush, then try it with the toothpaste added. Be aware that you may not be able to get all of his teeth brushed in one session, but that’s okay. Just brush as much as your dog will allow. It’s better than not brushing at all.

Another component of your dog’s dental hygiene is diet. I know I keep hammering on the importance of feeding your dog the best diet you possibly can, but you should know that a healthy diet contributes to a healthy mouth. Many cheaper dog foods are loaded with sugar and chemicals, which are just as bad for your dog’s teeth as they are for yours. It’s a myth that feeding lots of dry dog food (kibble) will help keep your dog’s teeth cleaner. Actually, a high-kibble diet has a tendency to stick to your dog’s teeth and lead to the development of more plaque and tartar compared to a raw diet.

With that said, there are some very good brands of dry dog food available, but this should not be fed exclusively. If you want to mix a little dry dog food with other things, such as organic meat and vegetables, this is acceptable. Cosmo and Tara each get a quarter-cup of high-quality dry food with each meal, but I mix it with a dehydrated raw food that’s been reconstituted, as well as organic plain yogurt, organic unrefined coconut oil, organic raw eggs (breakfast), and organic raw meat and veggies (dinner). Cosmo has excellent dental health for a dog that is going on ten years old–although his teeth are a little worn (what can I say, he likes to chew) and are not super-white anymore (dogs’ teeth darken with age, just like human teeth), he has no tartar or plaque. Tara, of course, still has really white teeth, but since she just turned two in February, her teeth are still ‘puppy teeth’. We brush both dogs’ teeth, as well as giving them dental chews daily.

What if your vet says that your dog’s teeth are in poor condition and need further attention, such as cleaning? This is a fairly easy process, but your dog must be under general anesthesia. If he needs something a little more complicated, your vet may recommend a veterinary dentist, who can clean your dog’s teeth but also perform procedures such as extractions and oral surgery.

As you can see, the old saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ applies here. Start brushing your dog’s teeth today and you may be able to prevent serious issues down the road.