Is this true about brushing your dog’s teeth?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately my dog is three years old and brushing her teeth didn't become a habit (i plan it to). When she was a puppy it was hard to do it and i ended up putting it aside until it never happened. It is even harder to do now that she’s an adult dog. Anyway I've been watching a lot of brushing your dog’s teeth videos on youtube and one of them said i should check her teeth first and if it you see something is wrong you should get it checked first because if you start brushing right away it might get to the gums and spread and get worse. It makes sense but my boyfriend just told me he doesn't think some brushing would hurt. I also can't bring her to get her teeth fixed right away because i need to save for it first. What do you think? Should i wait to get her teeth checked or am I overthinking it?

[nolabels]

Having a dog's teeth professionally cleaned by a vet is expensive and somewhat traumatic for the dog, as they have to be sedated in order for it to be completed.

I've never heard of the "don't brush them if they're dirty" idea, but I could see the possibility of bacteria being driven under the gums by doing so.

I've devised ways to clean my dog's teeth at home that have met with my vet's approval. Thick chunks of tartar can be "popped" off of a tooth by pushing against an edge of the tartar with a fingernail. Thinner layers of tartar can be scraped off of teeth using a small pocket screwdriver. I never use anything that has a point or a sharp edge. I'll work on a few or several teeth at a time, then give the dog a break for a while before going back at it. A vet doesn't have the privilege of being able to start and stop on every dog they deal with, so sedation then becomes necessary for them to perform the service. That's not so when cleaning them thoroughly at home. My methods may not get them perfectly sparkling clean, but it does keep them healthy.

My dogs have all gotten used to me cleaning their teeth if needed in that manner. I hold them in a loving way while working on them and talk to them constantly to keep them soothed.

Good luck to you and your pooch.

[BasedBaeBecca]

It's always a good idea to check the health of your pet's teeth, even if they have not been brushed regularly. If you notice any redness, swelling, or other abnormal changes in the gums or teeth, it could be a sign of an underlying dental issue that needs to be checked by a vet. It is best to have your pet's teeth examined by a professional as regular brushing will not solve any underlying infection and can potentially worsen the problem if not treated properly. You can brush your dog's teeth while you wait to save up for a visit to the vet.