How to Cure Plaque From a Dog's Teeth

Plaque builds up on a dog's teeth just as it does on human teeth. The plaque eventually becomes tarter, which is difficult to remove. A professional vet has the proper tools to remove tarter from the dog's teeth, but pet owners can keep their dog's teeth clean at home to stop the buildup of plaque. Brushing, treats and toys all aid in keeping a dog's mouth clean and healthy. If the plaque builds up, cavities and infections can appear, making the dog sick, according to Pet Health and Care.

Things You'll Need

  • Dog toothbrush
  • Dog toothpaste
  • Tarter control treats
  • Toys
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Take the dog to the veterinarian for a teeth cleaning to remove the tarter buildup. Watch the vet work with the dog so you can see how the dog responds to the toothbrush. This not only introduces the dog to teeth brushing, but also gives you a clean surface to maintain.

    • 2

      Squeeze a pea-sized drop of toothpaste on the toothbrush. Use flavored toothpaste, like chicken or beef. Hold it up to the dog to smell. Tell the dog to sit. Gently open its mouth. According to the Pet Education website, you only need to brush the outside of the teeth. Move the brush in small circles over the teeth. Gently brush the gums. If the dog reacts poorly or is afraid, stop. Calm the dog down and start again. As you brush its teeth, pet the dog and keep calm. Brush the dog's teeth from two times a week to everyday. Rinse the plaque from the toothbrush with water.

    • 3

      Give the dog a plaque removing treat or toy after brushing its teeth. Give it a treat after eating to remove plaque between meals. Appropriate treats include rawhide chewers, Del Monte Tartar Check and Greenies, according to Medicine Net.

    • 4

      Provide the dog with several rubber toys that contain groves or spines to clean plaque from the teeth. These toys are especially beneficial to dogs who struggle during brushing. Select a rubber toy that's an appropriate size for the dog. Large dogs, like Labrador Retrievers and German Shepherds, require bigger, stronger toys. The toys should fit comfortably in the dog's mouth, neither so large that they do not fit, nor so small that they dog may swallow it. Two available brands of chewing toys are Gumabones and Kong.

    • 5

      Give the dog crunchy kibble to eat. According to the American Chronicle, eating dry dog food helps clean the plaque from the dog's teeth. Check the brands available at a pet store for food that helps with dental health.