Taking care of your own oral health can help prevent other health issues in your body later down the road and the same goes for your furry buddy. Your pet needs his teeth cleaned and well-taken care of to keep him healthy, to prevent large veterinarian bills and to give your pup a healthy, long life. See below for tips on how to care for your pups teeth.

Brush Often

Brush your dog's teeth often with a doggy toothbrush and a small amount of canine toothpaste. You can find both of these at your local pet store. There are finger brushes or toothbrushes with a handle. Either can be used, whatever you and your pup prefer is what you should use. When you begin brushing your dog's teeth, he may not be too thrilled about it at first, and that's OK. Start off slowly and work on his front teeth. When he's better used to it, you can brush his back teeth and gums.

Give Chew Toys

Give your dog chew toys that can help clean his teeth. Toys such as rubber Kongs or rubber balls that your dog chews on will help scrub their teeth while they chew. Don't use tennis balls or rope toys, as the tennis ball's surface can damage your dog's teeth and rope toys that are chewed and eaten can cause a blockage in their intestines. 

Feed Your Dog Properly

Feed your dog healthy dog food full of protein and stay away from foods that contain fillers and carbohydrates (such as grains). Feed your dog the right amount of food depending on the size of your pup. Also feed your dog small training treats made for dogs, don't use table scraps as treats for your dog. There are a few "people" foods that your dog can eat, one of them is apple slices (not the core) to help clean your dog's teeth.

Give Him A Bone

Give your pup a bone to clean his teeth. There are dental bones on the market that are designed to clean your pup's teeth, but they just see it as a treat or a toy to play with. Let your dog chew on the bone throughout the day and watch his teeth improve.

Take your dog to your veterinarian for regular dental cleanings and checkups each year. Poor oral health in your dog can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even liver issues. Click here to learn more about taking good care of your dog's teeth to give him a longer, healthier life.