Homemade Toothpaste Recipe for Dogs

Although the truth is that as caregivers we don't always pay the attention we should to oral hygiene, tooth cleaning should be part of our dog's grooming routine, regardless of its age.

Also, brushing its teeth requires having both a specific toothpaste and a toothbrush made for dogs. If we use human hygiene products, we could even cause poisoning.

Should I Brush My Dog's Teeth?

The truth is canine oral hygiene is one of the recommendations of preventive medicine. Regular cleaning helps prevent the appearance of various health problems such as plaque, tartar, gingivitis, periodontal disease, or tooth loss.

These cause bad breath, bleeding gums, excessive drooling, and pain, which makes eating difficult. Hence the importance of tooth cleaning. But, for it to be effective, we need to use a toothpaste and toothbrush specifically made for dogs.

The Ideal Toothpaste for Dogs

Unsuitable products can hurt the gums and even cause poisoning. The toothpastes we use for our own hygiene aren't suitable for dogs. They contain ingredients such as fluoride or xylitol, which are potentially toxic to them.

They also contain foaming agents, which means they need to be rinsed out or spat out. They can't be swallowed. In contrast, dog toothpastes are made with abrasives, oxygenating agents, enzymes, chlorhexidine, or zinc. They have hygienic, antibacterial, and healing properties.

Any doubts when choosing toothpaste should be checked with the vet. Keep in mind that if your dog already has some oral condition, it won't go away just because you start brushing its teeth. In those cases, it needs to be examined by the vet to prescribe a specific treatment that may include tooth brushing.

Tips for Cleaning Your Dog's Teeth

It's recommended for dental hygiene to be daily, but since it can be hard to handle some dogs, it's acceptable to leave it at about 2-3 times a week. The vet can give you more precise instructions based on your dog's dental situation. Follow these tips:

• Use, we insist, a toothpaste specific to dogs, and apply only a small amount.
• The brush also needs to be made for dogs. There are models for sale similar to the ones we use, but also others shaped like a thimble. They're comfortable and easy to use, but they involve putting your finger inside the dog's mouth, risking a bite.
• A simple way to brush the teeth is to use gauze wrapped around your finger, or rub the teeth directly with it.
• Start dental cleanings as early as possible.
• Always do it during a calm moment, and never force the dog.
• Start brushing little by little, for however many times are needed, and always reward good behavior.
• Gradually the dog will accept a longer, more thorough session. If it's still impossible even so, you can turn to dental snacks, kibble specific for dental hygiene, spray toothpaste, etc.

How to Make Homemade Toothpaste

If you don't have dog toothpaste at home, ran out, or can't find it, you can make one yourself. These pastes work for healthy dogs getting a routine dental cleaning several times a week.

But if your dog already has some condition, you should only use the paste or disinfectants your vet recommends for that specific problem. Below we offer three recipes you can easily make at home with simple ingredients.

Baking Soda Toothpaste for Dogs

You only need two ingredients, since it's made with one tablespoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of water to form a paste. Baking soda is what some people take when they feel digestive discomfort.

It treats acidity or heartburn, but it's also added to baked goods to act as a leavening agent so they rise. So it's easy to find at any supermarket. Besides cleaning, it has a whitening effect.

Chloride Toothpaste for Dogs

In this case the paste is made with a tablespoon of sodium or potassium chloride and a teaspoon of water. Sodium chloride is the common table salt we use in cooking. It's inexpensive and easy to find. Potassium chloride, meanwhile, can be bought at stores like drugstores or online.

Coconut Toothpaste for Dogs

This one also uses baking soda and an equal amount of quality, food-grade coconut oil. You can buy it at large supermarkets. You just need to mix both ingredients to form the paste. You can make a batch and store it in a container somewhere dark, cool, and dry.

Canine Oral Cleaning With Ultrasound

If our dog's dental condition is very poor, tooth cleaning with paste and brush is still important, but it won't be enough. In these cases, the first step is for the vet to identify the problem and set out a treatment. A professional, thorough mouth cleaning usually becomes essential.

It has to be done by the vet at the clinic, with the dog asleep after general anesthesia is administered. It's done using ultrasound dental equipment. In some dogs this type of cleaning, apart from whatever hygiene we keep up at home, is recommended roughly once a year.

Bibliography Carlson and Giffin. 2002. Practical Manual of Canine Veterinary Medicine. Madrid. Editorial el Drac.