Home Remedies to Brush a Dog's Teeth

Dogs whose teeth are not properly cared for will suffer from a variety of health issues. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, signs of unhealthy dog teeth include excessive drooling, bleeding gums, bad breath and possible gum tumors. Caring for a dog's teeth at home is accomplished with homemade toothpaste, homemade treats and the proper techniques.

  1. Dog Toothpaste Recipe

    • Pour 5 tbsp. baking soda and 2 tbsp. water into an airtight plastic container. Add 1 tbsp. chicken broth, ¼ tsp. salt and 2 tsp. peppermint extract to the mixture. Stir the ingredients together well and add extra baking soda, if necessary, until the paste consistency is reached. Refrigerate and use the dog toothpaste for up to one month. Omit the salt from the mixture if your dog does not react well to the taste or substitute beef broth for chicken broth if your dog prefers this flavor.

    Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth

    • Cover the end of your finger with a small amount of the toothpaste and allow your dog to familiarize itself with this new taste before attempting to perform a thorough cleaning. Continue to use your finger instead of a toothbrush once a day for one week to allow the dog to get comfortable with the process. After the week is over, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a dime-sized amount of the homemade toothpaste to clean your dog's teeth. Gently lift your dog's upper lip and work the homemade toothpaste into the upper teeth and gums using a down and up motion. Move onto the lower lips and gums in the same fashion.

    Crunchy Dog Treat Recipe

    • Aside from a regular tooth-brushing routine, providing dogs with crunchy homemade treats will help remove plague from the dog's teeth. Pour 2 cups whole-wheat flour, 1 cup ground chicken breast, 1 tsp. garlic powder, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 2 tbsp. vegetable oil and 1 cup water to a large bowl. Stir the ingredients together and chill in the refrigerator for one hour. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place spoonfuls of the batter onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten out the spoonfuls of the batter with a fork and bake the treats for eight to 10 minutes, or until they are cooked thoroughly and are brown on top. Allow the treats to cool and give them to your dog to help remove unwanted plaque.

    Dog Dental Care Tips

    • Use plain baking soda and water to brush your dog teeth away from home or when the homemade toothpaste recipe is not available. If the dog is not receptive to a toothbrush, wrap your finger with gauze and use it to brush the dog's teeth. Offer the dog a homemade crunchy plaque treat after the tooth brushing as a reward. The dog will begin to associate the tooth brushing routine with treats and will be more willing to sit still for the procedure.