Our parents and dentists have been drilling the ‘brush your teeth twice a day’ rule into our heads for years. But, while regular brushing is important for humans, it is important for dogs as well. Many of you may find the idea of brushing a dog’s teeth outlandish, but proper dental hygiene is actually very important for your furry friend’s health and wellness.
That being said, getting a toothbrush anywhere near your pets’ teeth is easier said than done. Pets, especially dogs, don’t always comply with their owners when it comes to regular brushing, and introducing obtrusive objects such as toothbrushes into their mouths could make them scared and anxious.
If such situations are a familiarity to you, fear not! Thankfully, dental health innovation has been rather advanced and today, we do have a toothpaste that can be applied onto your dog’s teeth and gums without a toothbrush.
Curious to find out more? Be sure to read along for more tips and guidelines to make brushing a fun activity for your furry friends as well.
Why is brushing good for your dog’s teeth?
Brushing is the best way to prevent Periodontal diseases in pets. Periodontal diseases occur when there are infections in the jaw area of an animal, which can lead to pain and inflammation. It is estimated that more than 60% of all dogs over the age of 3 have periodontal diseases, and if they are left untreated, they can lead to painful tooth loss.
Dogs can also suffer from bleeding gums due to gingivitis if their teeth are not brushed regularly. Halitosis can also be an issue for dogs if the plaque that accumulates on their teeth is not cleaned away properly. Periodontal diseases can also lead to a loss of appetite for your pet, and eventually bacteria that is present in the mouth can enter your dog’s bloodstream through its gums. This can lead to health complications such as liver inflammation, kidney failure and severe bone loss.
Why do some dogs act fussy when it comes to brushing their teeth?
While proper dental hygiene is essential for your pets, not all dogs are the same, and many dogs might be uncooperative during brushing sessions.
Here are some of the main reasons why your dog may create a fuss while brushing its teeth:
1. Your dog may already be suffering from periodontal diseases, gum issues or broken teeth. In this scenario, even a soft bristle brush may aggravate the inflammation in its gums, and it may snap at or bite anything that comes close to its mouth.
2. You may be restraining your furry friend quite forcefully during the brushing process, which could make it stressful and anxious.
3. Your pet may not like the taste of its toothpaste.
If any of these issues are persistent, brushing your dog’s teeth should already be feeling like an arduous challenge. Fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved easily by using the Stomoact Beo Brushless Toothpaste.
The Stomoact Advantage
While Stomoact primarily specializes in Stomatitis treatments, its brushless toothpaste is also effective when it comes to combating tartar and oral inflammation. Stomoact is an oral microbiome product that contains the Lactobacillus enzyme.
This enzyme can naturally boost salivary defenses, which promotes the growth of good bacteria in your pet’s oral cavity, and hinders the manifestation of disease-causing germs.
The Stomoact Beo Brushless Toothpaste is easy to apply and its unique formulation easily sticks to your dog’s teeth without creating a mess. It can be easily applied with your fingers or a soft silicone finger cap, which eliminates the need for a toothbrush and physical brushing.
It is also colorless and odorless, and it is made with EWG green grade raw materials, which makes it perfectly safe for your furry friend. It also has a neutral taste, which means your dog won’t reject it. It also eliminates bad breath and protects your dog’s gums.
Directions to use the Stomoact Beo Brushless Toothpaste for dogs
Stomoact’s brushless toothpaste can be applied once or twice daily. You can use 1 or 2 pumps per application, and it should ideally be applied to the upper and lower teeth and the gingival line.
All it takes is 3 simple steps:
1. Apply a small drop of toothpaste on your fingertip and hold it close to its mouth. Let it lick the toothpaste and observe its reaction.
2. Once you are certain that your pet is not rejecting the toothpaste, you can raise your dog’s upper lip by gently applying upward pressure on its upper jaw with your thumb and your middle finger, as seen in the video linked above. Once your dog’s lips are raised, you should thoroughly apply Stomoact’s Beo Brushless Toothpaste on its gums and teeth.
3. Repeat the same process for the lower jaw.
As seen in the video below, the Stomoact Beo Brushless Toothpaste is very easy to apply, but as always, it is recommended that you consult with your veterinarian to determine if Stomoact is right for your dog.
Tips you can do before applying the Stomoact Beo Brushless Toothpaste on your Dog’s teeth
Your dog might initially recognize that it is another typical toothpaste that you are trying to apply onto its teeth and as a result, there might be some form of resistance you might be encountering. Here are some tips that can help smoothen the process for you.
1. Be sure to remove distractions such as toys, other pets or even children before starting to apply the toothpaste.
2. Brush your dog’s teeth in a well-lit area, so that you can view your dog’s teeth and gums clearly. However, the lighting should not be very bright, as it may agitate your furry friend.
3. Start the process of establishing a mock “brushing” routine by simply gently touching your dog’s teeth, lips and gums without any toothpaste. It is advisable to wear gloves or a silicone finger cap at this stage. For positive reinforcement, you can also give treats to your pet at this stage.
4. Once the mock “brushing” routine is done, provide positive reinforcement and treats for your pets to further establish a positive experience. This may seem contradictory, because you are cleaning your pet’s teeth and then giving food. However, once your pet is accustomed to its brushing routine, it won’t be necessary to give treats for positive reinforcement.
Final note
Stomoact’s brushless toothpaste is undoubtedly a very effective product that improves your dog’s oral health. However, we need to emphasize that it cannot be the only product that you use as a part of your pet’s dental hygiene routine.
If your dog is not comfortable with toothbrushes, it is highly recommended to add vet-approved products to your dog’s dental routine such as dental chews and supplements, which can help remove food particles from its mouth, protect its teeth and strengthen its gums.
You can visit ZumShop to purchase high-quality, vet-approved banana oral films and strawberry oral films, which can be an ideal part of your pet’s dental care routine.
Before applying any dental product to your dog’s teeth and gums, we highly recommend that you consult a veterinarian to ensure that the products you are using are suitable for your dog. As per the instructions of your veterinarian, we also recommend that you regularly get your dog’s teeth and gums professionally cleaned, as plaque and tartar can easily accumulate in certain sections of your dog’s mouth, even after regular brushing. Depending on your dog’s diet and lifestyle, your vet will recommend a professional dental cleaning schedule for your dog.
If you are looking to get a dental check-up done for your dog, please visit ZumVet to book an online consultation with a qualified veterinarian who can check for periodontal diseases and recommend a dental hygiene plan for your pet.
