Do you desire to understand how to manage your Chihuahua’s teeth clean? Chihuahuas are notoriously territorial canines that will take ownership of whatever they can get their hands on. Therefore, cleaning your Chihuahua’s teeth twice a day is ideal. This is critical because you want your pet to become accustomed to the cleaning process.
Brushing your Chihuahua might be a time-consuming task. Toothbrushes and toothpaste should be no exception. However, as the owner, you may encourage your Chihuahua to brush by allowing them to identify with your tools.
The Right Technique to Brush your Chihuahua’s Teeth
🟢First Step
Touch your dog’s muzzle and teeth whenever possible, but keep such interactions brief. It works best if you choose periods when they are comfortable and sitting by your side, allowing you to reach down and softly stroke their muzzle.
If they let it, gently insert your finger into their mouth and brush their teeth, so they become accustomed to the sensation and do not link it with anything wrong. Spend a week or two doing nothing but this and getting them acclimated to having their lips handled.
🟢Second Step
Apply a dab of dog toothpaste on your finger and rub it against their teeth. It’s fine to wiggle it about a little, but don’t make a huge deal out of it. Redo this a couple of times a day until your dog is adjusted to the new experience and looks forward to the taste reward.
🟢Third Step
Using a canine toothbrush, squirt a tiny amount of your dog’s toothpaste. If even a little brush appears to be too large for your Chihuahua’s teeth, try a soft brush that slides over the end of your finger, or just wrap a cloth over your fingertip and utilize that instead of a brush.
🟢Fourth Step
Brush your dog’s teeth in a circular motion with the brush or your finger. It is great if you can get them to lie on their side while you brush, but if they prefer to sit up and keep still, that’s fine, too. Work from the back to the front of their mouth on both sides, being careful to get the upper and lower teeth as you go.
Without Brushing, This is How to Clean Your Chihuahua’s Teeth
We all want our Chihuahua’s oral health to be the best it can be. However, not all of them enjoy having a toothbrush in their mouth. Fortunately, there are additional options for achieving healthy and pleasant-smelling breath.
✔️ Use a Dog Dental Spray
Doggy dental spray is usually ready at your trusted pet store. Even if they don’t prefer the spray aspect, dogs often dig it once it’s in their mouth. The spray tastes good, freshens their breath, and aids in the removal of plaque from their teeth. Unfortunately, sprays are typically one of the last things to attempt because they function more slowly than other treatments.
✔️ Give them Bully Sticks
Bully sticks are more than a nice snack. They’re solid bits of meat that your dog usually spends a lot of time chewing on. In addition, bully sticks benefit your dog’s oral health by breaking away tartar as he chews.
✔️ Use some Coconut Oil
Most people have heard about the health advantages of coconut oil, but it doesn’t end there. Bacteria are killed by coconut oil. Plague-causing bacteria can be subdued by rubbing coconut oil on your dog’s roots and gums. If your dog doesn’t love it when you clean their teeth, you may combine coconut oil with their food, and it will serve just as well.
✔️ Give them Raw Bones
This is something you should consult with your doctor first. However, if they give you the go-ahead, raw bones are proven to be highly beneficial to doggie oral health. When your Chihuahua consumes a raw bone, they rip out connective tissue and chomp down, cleansing not only the outside of their teeth but also the gaps within their teeth. Therefore, use a raw bone rather than a prepared one. Boiled bones are toxic to dogs in any form.
Things to do if your Chihuahua Does Not Enjoy their Teeth Brushed
For some reason, some Chihuahuas may dislike cleaning their teeth. For example, they may dislike brushing because past owners have traumatized them. Or perhaps they are too delicate for the job. When this occurs, you have several options to consider.
❕ Make Use of Chew Toys
Chew toys are a fantastic alternative to cleaning your teeth. They fulfill your Chihuahua’s craving for superiority while also cleaning their teeth. They’re not as precise as brushing by hand, but they’re malleable and can get into tight spaces. Any type of chew toy is acceptable, but the bone produces the best results.
Choose big toys that will cause your Chihuahua to expand wide. Choking dangers will be avoided as a result of this. Instead, use the squeaky version to make the game easy.
❕ Brush it using your Fingers
Dogs may dislike toothbrushes because they are too scratchy for them. If your Chihuahua’s gums are especially delicate, they may hurt you or moan in discomfort. If your Chihuahua is afraid of brushes, cover your fingers and let them sniff them instead.
Lift their lips till you view their teeth and softly touch them once they’re at ease. They will frequently close their lips, so work with your dog’s timing. By elevating their top lips with your lubricated fingers, you can hold their mouths open.
❕ Make Vet Visits
It is generally suggested that you visit your veterinarian once a year for a dental checkup. However, this may alter if you are unable to encourage your Chihuahua to wash their teeth. Chew toys can assist you in cleaning their teeth, but their teeth will ultimately wear out, especially if they are older.
If you’re not attentive, your dog might develop oral problems in months or years. Inquire with your veterinarian whether there are any dentally healthy meals or snacks that they may consume. Typically, they will propose goodies that stimulate greater chewing.
Dental Disease Symptoms in Chihuahuas
Inspect your dog for indications of periodontal disease. If you see any indications of oral or gum disease, you should seek advice from your veterinarian. Dogs automatically hide any pain or discomfort to avoid exhibiting weakness, making it even more challenging to detect a problem. Sings include the following:
- Gums that bleed
- Breath problems
- Thick saliva
- Dropping food while consuming it
- Rubbing one’s face with one’s paws or on the floor
- Red Gums
- Plaque
- There is blood in the water or food bowls
- Having a preference for one side of the mouth
- Swelling of the face
The Advantages of Brushing Your Chihuahua’s Teeth Daily
Did you know that gum disease affects dogs five times more than humans? Brushing your dog’s teeth isn’t the most enjoyable exercise in the world, but it is necessary. Unfortunately, oral health is frequently forgotten when caring for our pets, even though it is such a vital element of their general well-being.
Daily brushing does not ensure that your dog will never have dental issues, but it can help avoid the bulk of them. When it comes to dental health, a few forethought goes a long way. By taking a few additional minutes each day to brush your dog’s teeth, you may help avoid significant conditions like periodontal disease from occurring.e
👍Prevent Plaque and Tartar Buildup
The most crucial advantage of cleaning your dog’s teeth daily is that it prevents plaque and tartar formation on their teeth. The plaque is a sticky material that builds up on your dog’s teeth when they eat. Plaque hardens and transforms into tartar when it builds and begins to combine with saliva and germs.
Tartar, if left untreated, can extend beneath the gum line, causing gingivitis and periodontal disease. Brushing your dog’s teeth daily will help prevent tartar from growing on his teeth. In addition, brushing your dog’s teeth daily eliminates plaque before it hardens and becomes tartar accumulation. If you can’t apply cleaning your dog’s teeth twice a day into your plan, consider doing it two times a week. When it comes to dental health, prevention is everything.
👍Prevent Severe Health Issues
Dental health isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind when keeping our dogs health, but it’s a vital aspect of their overall health. Ignoring oral problems might lead to significant health risks. While modest gum inflammation and other periodontal disease symptoms may appear small, bear in mind that they cause discomfort.
When left untreated, they develop and can result in tissue and bone loss. Brushing your dog’s teeth daily can help reduce the likelihood of your dog getting major dental difficulties caused by periodontal disease. Furthermore, by inspecting your dog’s mouth daily, you may detect any abnormalities or changes early on and have them evaluated by your veterinarian.
👍Preventing Dental Issues can Help you Save Bucks
Brushing your dog’s teeth daily can help to prevent and diagnose dental issues before they become serious. Dental disorders in dogs, if left untreated, can lead to serious health complications that are expensive to cure. Teeth cleaning alone may be fairly expensive, besides the expenditures connected with addressing major difficulties caused by periodontal disease.
👍It Will Make your Chihuahua’s Breath Smell Better
Some dogs have foul breath, which is frequently caused by dental or gum disease in dogs. Cleaning your dog’s teeth daily will help stop plaque on their teeth and maintain their breath smelling good. Consult your veterinarian if your dog has particularly foul breath or if there are any abrupt changes in scent. In rare cases, poor breath in dogs might indicate a medical problem, such as diabetes or renal disease.
Chihuahua Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease develops when bacteria in a dog’s mouth produce plaque, which adheres to the surface of the teeth. The natural minerals in the saliva will harden the plaque into tartar, which is permanently bonded to the teeth. Tartar does not show in dogs until they are two to three years old.
Periodontal disease affects all dogs, although smaller breeds, such as Chihuahuas, are more prone. Smaller breeds also have less bone mass anchoring each tooth, increasing the likelihood of tooth loss due to periodontitis.
Interesting Details About Your Chihuahua’s Teeth
➖It is Alive
Dog teeth, like human teeth, are living tissue. Each tooth is made up of multiple pieces. The real tooth is the core, which is surrounded by bone. Because teeth are living, injury or decay may cause severe pain. That is why oral health is such a vital subject.
➖They have 42 Teeth when Fully Grown
Dogs have just 28 teeth when they are puppies. However, their permanent teeth finally grow in for a total of 42. Your dog will have lost all of its puppy teeth by the time the adult teeth appear. Around six months of age, most dogs have done teething. You may assist your puppy in bringing in their adult teeth by giving them lots of puppy chews to help alleviate the agony of putting in their new set of teeth.
➖Their Bites are Strong
A dog bite has a pressure range of 250 to 325 PSI. The biting force of a domesticated dog isn’t as strong as you may expect, especially when compared to other animal buddies. Bite force varies depending on the breed or size of the dog.
➖They have a Total of Two Sets of Teeth
Dogs, like humans, have puppy teeth that are eventually replaced. Puppy teeth function similarly to adult dog teeth, although of a smaller size. Compared to human children, where the process takes years, the shift in pups is quite quick, taking only a few weeks. Puppies lose their teeth the same way humans do; they get loose and finally fall out. The tooth root is then spontaneously absorbed by the gums.
➖Cavities in a Dog’s Teeth are Quite Uncommon
Cavities in dogs are uncommon because the bacteria in a dog’s mouth vary from the germs in a human’s mouth. Holes are created by bacteria that reside on the flat surfaces of teeth and convert carbohydrates into acid. Dogs do not often consume as much sugar as people do, and the bacteria that causes cavities is quite rare in dogs’ mouths. Holes in dogs are generally induced by sugary foods like bananas or sweet potatoes.
➖The Root Structure of a Dog’s Teeth Differs from Ours
Canine root systems are identical to human root structures, except that the three upper molars in dogs have two roots while the two lower molars have three roots. Thus, a dog’s tooth has extensive roots. Typically, the visible crown is only around one-third the length of the tooth.
➖They use their Teeth in a Different Way Than Us
While the constitution and chemical structure of canine teeth are comparable to that of human teeth, the size and form of dog teeth are where the most distinctions arise. The canines, which are long and sharp, are the most noticeable teeth. To generate a slicing action, the massive carnassial teeth are intended to shear against one another.
In contrast, human teeth often grind against each other to crush food. Dogs cannot masticate their food like humans since their teeth are not equipped to do so.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is it necessary to clean my Chihuahua’s teeth?
A: Brushing your dog’s teeth at least twice a day is recommended. It will become a part of many dogs’ daily routine, and they will start to expect and appreciate it. However, brushing three times per week is the bare minimum for removing plaque and preventing tartar formation.
Q: What can I use to wash the teeth of my Chihuahua?
A: Make certain that you use dog toothpaste rather than human toothpaste. Human toothpaste has the potential to make your dog quite ill.
Q: Why do Chihuahuas’ teeth protrude?
A: Chihuahuas may have their tongue hanging out if they miss teeth, take certain medications, have a jaw injury, or have a neurological condition or a deformity.
Q: What causes my Chihuahua’s terrible breath?
A: Chihuahuas are well-known for having foul breath. It’s not the fault of the dog. They are prone to a variety of dental issues. Specific medical issues might potentially increase these inclinations.
Q: Is it wrong that I don’t brush my dog’s teeth?
A: Plaque can accumulate without brushing, putting your dog at risk for poor breath, gum disease, and teeth decay. It is also capable of causing painful infections. The severe infection has the potential to spread and cause life-threatening symptoms.
Final Thoughts
The first line of protection against gum disease is brushing your Chihuahua’s teeth. Daily cleanings, along with expert cleanings at your veterinarian, will go a long way toward preventing gum disease. Some dogs collect more plaque and tartar than others when it comes to plaque and tartar accumulation. If you are unsure about brushing your dog’s teeth, you may have them professionally cleaned.
While professional teeth cleaning might be expensive, it can save you money in the long term by reducing health issues connected with dental disease. Therefore, a yearly dental cleaning is suggested for the majority of canines.
Here at ILoveChihuahua, we share our personal experiences as owners of this feisty breed. We talk about recommended methods, dog supplies picks, and advice on common Chihuahua problems. Our goal is to promote responsible dog ownership, so there would be fewer Chihuahuas in shelters.
