As pet parents, we all know we need to keep our dog's teeth clean...right? Right.

But, most dogs don't make dental care easy, and remembering to clean your dog's teeth can be a lot. So how do we make it easier for ourselves and our dogs? 

Dogly Dental Health guides are here to help 

These step-by-step guides are for pet owners who want to make your dog's dental health affordable and easy-to-understand, from tips on how to brush your dog's teeth at home, to how to make your own dog toothpaste, how to pick the best dental treats or dental chews for your dog, and more.

We'll share what to try with your dog, tips to easily save and remember for the future, and the Dogly Advocates will be with you along the way for all of your questions.

Let's get into your dog's mouth

It's been estimated that 80% of all dogs will have at least one dental issue by the time they reach three years old. Three years old! That's too young for any type of issue! Do you know why making sure your dog has healthy teeth even matters? Hint: it's more than just the usual dental hygiene and wanting a pearly white smile. Much more.

**plan-panel

Why you should care about your dog's teeth

Your dog's dental health greatly impacts your dog's overall health

Dogs use their mouths for everything - from drinking and eating to playing and exploring. And, as with most things in life, if something is used a lot it's going to wear out faster. One of the many reasons you should start taking care of your dog's teeth on a regular basis today!

Not caring for your dog's oral health can lead to a variety of serious dental problems including: 

• Gum disease 
• Tooth decay 
• Halitosis (doggy breath) 
• Tooth loss 
• Infection in the mouth and gums 

All of which can lead to other health problems like heart, liver, and kidney disease. Not to mention putting you in line for an expensive professional dental cleaning. This is why your pet's oral health matters so much. Their general health depends on it. 

Be sure to check your dog's teeth regularly for signs of dental disease. If you see any redness, swelling, or bleeding in the gums, or if your dog's teeth seem loose, see your veterinarian.

The good news is most of these dental problems are preventable by regular brushing and checkups. So, let's get started!

Dental Health Guide 1: How to brush your dog's teeth at home

Brushing your dog's teeth is one of the most important things you can do to make sure your dog has a healthy mouth and good oral hygiene. Not only does it help keep your dog's breath fresh and remove tartar and plaque build-up, but it also helps prevent all the scary health issues we listed above. 

Here are 7 easy steps to brush your dog's teeth at home outlined by the Dogly Advocates.

Seriously, check it out. It may help you avoid professional dental cleanings for as long as possible.

The 7 steps to brushing your dog's teeth cover:

1. How to make brushing your pet's teeth a habit
2. The supplies you'll need to clean your dog's teeth
3. How to introduce a toothbrush and toothpaste to your dog
4. Which teeth to start brushing first
5. Which teeth to go to next
6. How to change your teeth-cleaning stroke starting at your dog's gum line
7. And most importantly, how to make cleaning teeth a positive experience for your dog

There's also a video to show you how to give your dog a good teeth cleaning yourself.

If your dogs dislike getting their teeth brushed, there are dog dental wipes and water additives you can add to your dog's water bowl to help remove plaque and tartar while freshening your dog's breath.

Dog dental wipes are easy to use and don't require any rinsing. Simply use the wipe around your dog's gums and teeth once a day. A dental water additive can be used in addition to dental wipes for extra protection against plaque build-up.

And that brings us to step 2 in improving your dog's dental health...

**follow-panel

Dental Health Guide 2: Make your own dog toothpaste

You may be surprised to find out you can make your own dog toothpaste at home as a tasty treat dogs love with just a few simple ingredients. Not only is it more affordable, but you also have complete control over what goes into it versus buying toothpaste from pet stores. Double win.

The Dogly Advocates share how to make their favorite homemade dog toothpaste here but the key ingredients are:

• Unrefined, organic coconut oil
• Cinnamon
• Fresh chopped mint or parsley

The full guide has the recipe and benefits of each of these ingredients for your pet's dental health.

The Dogly Advocates also explain why human toothpaste should never be used to keep your dog's teeth clean AND share a time-saver tip on how to clean your dog's teeth regularly without needing to make new coconut oil toothpaste every day.

The next step covers a question Dogly gets A LOT on dog dental treats.

Dental Health Guide 3: How to know if dental chew toys are actually good to clean dogs' teeth

This is one of the top questions we hear from pet parents when it comes to dental hygiene.  

"There are so many dog dental treats that claim to keep your dog's teeth healthy and save them from dental disease. From tooth wipes to water additives, and dental toys and dog chews. What's best to keep my dog's teeth clean?" 

We feel your pain. It's tough to know which products live up to their claims and which ones don't. That's why we brought in the Dogly Advocates to help set the record straight on the best dental chews to fight tartar build-up, remove plaque, and freshen breath.

**channel-panel

The Dogly Advocates dispel some of the myths around dental chews and explain the four things you need to know when it comes to assessing a dental treat.

Check it out here but know it comes down to...

1. Knowing which ingredients to be aware of (listed here)
2. Which natural dog chews the Dogly Advocates like (think bully sticks and raw bones)
3. Understanding the differences in dog chewing styles when choosing a dental chew
4. Which commercial dog chews the Dogly Advocates like and why

Oddly enough, there's a lot to know when it comes to your dog's mouth! And truthfully, it all matters. The goal is to prevent periodontal disease and really any type of disease before it happens. The first step in doing that is to begin brushing your dog's teeth regularly. From there, you can explore other dental options that may work better for you and your dog.

That's the Dental Health Channel here on Dogly!

If you've gone through each guide in the Dental Health Channel, your dog's teeth should be clean and bad breath gone now! Congrats! If you're just getting started, that's ok too! Start with learning how to brush your dog's teeth, followed by how to make your own dog toothpaste, and then which dental chews are best to keep your dog's mouth clean.

Dental Health is just one of many channels here on Dogly. Be sure to check out the other channels like Manners in Training or Home-cooking in Nutrition to learn everything you need to know about your dog's training, nutrition, and overall wellness.

And, as always, you can speak with or work with any of the Advocates on Dogly if you ever need more personalized help. Don't go through stuff alone with your dog, we're here for you!