Dachshund Dental Hygiene
Your dog’s teeth are like your teeth and they accumulate tartar. Tartar causes gum disease and tooth loss. In addition to the obvious reasons dogs need teeth, dental problems can lead to serious medical problems. Dachshunds in particular have dental problems. As any Dachshund parent knows, they have pretty bad breath.
Any signs of dental problems should be addressed by a vet. This includes bad breath turning into horrendous breath. Look for any difficulty you would see in human oral health. Gum problems, exclamations of pain when chewing, and refusal to eat, etc…
Keeping your dog’s teeth clean is a perfect way to prevent these problems. Dachshunds should have their teeth cleaned every day, but if that is not possible, at least 3-4 times a week. The tartar has less time to accumulate with regular brushing. You will need the following:
1-Most importantly, you need toothpaste for dogs. DO NOT use human toothpaste. It must be edible by canine standards.
2-A dog toothbrush. A dog will tend to chew on a toothbrush, so it must be designed to withstand chewing.
3-Have a finger cap toothbrush on hand as well. These work when a dog just can not tolerate the regular toothbrush. They are sometimes more receptive to having your finger in their mouths.
4-Keep a wash cloth nearby.
5-A dog approved oral spray is very useful in treating teeth and gums. It works on breath and dental health.
Introduce dental care in a gentile way. Dachshunds are hyper by nature and are not fans of grooming. Start when they are puppies. Get him or her used to you putting your fingers in his or her mouth. Then start letting them get the taste of the toothpaste. Always start with the front teeth as it is less threatening. Work your way to the back teeth little by little. Get them used to you doing all their teeth at once. For every successful interaction, give your dog a treat.
When it is time for the real thing, get comfortable and only do it when you are in a very calm mood. Lift the dog’s upper lip and brush as you would your own teeth, in a circular motion. Get the gum line, too, but gently. Go straight to the back teeth. Then proceed to the bottom teeth. Do not waste time and prolong the experience. BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO LET YOUR DOG TWIST HIS BACK. If it gets to be too dangerous for the dog, stop and do it again the next day.
If your dog has very discolored teeth, you will probably need a professional cleaning. Dental tartar build-up if left untreated can lead to heart disease in dogs. Keep brushing and use dry food, hard dog biscuits, and chew toys that support dental health.
