OK...It's Time To Brush Our Tooffies!!!

Written by a CP Media Volunteer

Brushing your Cairn Terrier's teeth should be an enjoyable time for BOTH of you. If you take things slowly at the beginning and give lots of praise, both of you will start looking forward to your brushing sessions. Be sure to praise lavishly throughout the process. Give yourself a pat on the back, too! You are doing a great thing for your little "corn terror"!

Our Cairns need dental care, too! Unfortunately, dental hygiene for dogs is sometimes overlooked. Many people seem to expect dogs to have bad breath, and few people brush their dog's teeth frequently enough. Studies show that 98% of dogs with bad breath are suffering from periodontal disease, a result of plaque build up. If left untreated, this can lead to a bacterial infection, which can enter the bloodstream and spread to your dog's kidney, liver, heart and even their brain. Chances are if your dog has very bad breath, there is a problem with his teeth.

Dental hygiene is just as important to your dog’s overall heath as nutrition and exercise. Help keep your dog healthy – pay attention to those pearly whites!

Your cairn's teeth should be cleaned at least twice a week and his teeth should be checked once a year by your veterinarian. If your dog's teeth have significant tarter build up, they need to be cleaned. This is best done with anesthesia.

Feeding your dog dry dog food or hard dog biscuits everyday and providing a hard toy to chew on may help prevent periodontal disease and other infections and gum diseases.

Pet dental products, such as Fragaria Vesca (which is available online in the CPCRN Mall!!) can be used for softening and removing tartar and dental plaque from teeth.

Learning how to brush your dog's teeth will help to contribute to his overall good health so let's get started!

First, have your dog get used to your putting things in his or her mouth. Dip your finger in beef bouillon. Call your dog with a voice that means "treat" and let your dog lick the liquid off your finger. Then rub your soaked finger gently over your dog's gums and teeth. After a few sessions, your dog should actually look forward to this and you can move on.

Next, dip a piece of gauze or cheesecloth ( which is rougher) in the bouillon, wrap the gauze or cheesecloth around your finger, and rub your pup's teeth in a circular motion with your wrapped finger. Repeat this for the number of sessions it takes your dog to feel comfortable with this procedure. Remember to praise him and keep an upbeat attitude.

After your dog is used to having the flavored gauze in his mouth, you are ready to start with a toothbrush, or rubber finger toothbrush. You need to get your dog used to the texture of the bristles on a brush, so let him lick something tasty off of the brush.

The next step will be to let your cairn get used to the flavor and consistency of some pet toothpaste. Let him lick some pet toothpaste off your finger and then apply some to your pet's gum line with your finger. Praise your pet. Then add the some pet toothpaste to the brush. Pet toothpastes either have poultry, liver, or other flavor so your dog will like the taste. Why can't I use human toothpaste on my dog? Because dogs do not spit, and human toothpaste is not edible. Your dog will definitely swallow whatever you use to clean his teeth, so it is important that you only use dog toothpaste which is edible.

Now that your dog is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste you are ready to start brushing. Talk to your dog in a happy voice during the process and praise your dog at the end. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and angle slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line. Work from back to front, making small circles along the gum lines. Lift your dog's upper lips and begin to brush in a circular motion. Don't forget to get the very back teeth, since this is where your dog is most likely to develop problems. When you are finished brushing on the top, move on to the bottom. Make it appear to be a game so you both will have fun doing it.

Your dog depends on you to make proper health choices for him, and dental care is one of them. Follow the tips above, and you'll be able to clean those Cairn-teeth with no trouble and your dog will feel great as a result.