Brushing your dog's teeth is a part of basic dog care. If your dog is prone to tooth decay or has other dental problems, it's a good idea to take the dog to the vet for professional cleaning. Your vet will recommend how often your dog should return for regular dental visits.

It's important to maintain the health of your dog's teeth with regular brushing, however. You should not use human grade toothpaste on your dog's teeth, as products made for humans and dogs vary quite a bit. You can find lots of types of toothbruses for your dog. Sometimes, the most efficient tool to use is a toothbrush that fits over your finger. This will allow you to reach inside your dog's mouth and have more control over the brushing process. There are several products you can buy at various pet supply stores to aid in the prevention of decay if you find it difficult to brush teeth frequently. If your dog is a chewer, toys such as Nylabones or rope toys can help grind loose plaque off the teeth or reach inbetween teeth to remove build up. There is also a new toy on the market which actually has toothbrush bristles on the ends and lets your dog brush his own teeth! There are supplements, usually containing chlorophyll, that you can add to your dogs' water which also aid in both the prevention of further build up and the removal of existing decay.

When you provide dental care to your dog, take the opportunity to inspect each tooth for progression of decay, or even broken teeth. If a broken tooth is found, it is wise to schedule a visit to your vet even if your dog is not showing symptoms of discomfort. In some teeth, like the canines (the "fangs"), the root can run the full length of the tooth. When it breaks, the root is left exposed. Bacteria or other no-no's can get inside and cause an abcess (big ol' pocket of pus) to form. As you can imagine, this will be a pain to repair, both for you and your dog!