If you start brushing a dog’s teeth at a young age, they can get used to having their teeth cleaned with a toothbrush. But mostly, dogs just hate the sight of toothbrushes. That’s why dental wipes for dogs are becoming an increasingly popular way to keep your dog’s teeth clean.
But do dog dental wipes work, and are they better than using a dog toothbrush?
Dog dental wipes make it easy to clean your dog’s teeth and gums and can help prevent bad breath, plaque, and tartar buildup. Dental wipes for dogs are easy to use and make it easy to keep your dog’s oral hygiene in check. So, it’s safe to say that dental wipes for dogs do work and solve a major problem that many dog owners face, using a toothbrush to clean dog’s teeth!
Teeth wipes are also easier to accept for most dogs and cause less stress to both, the owner, and their pets.
There are other alternatives to using a dog toothbrush. You can read about them in our article: ‘How to Clean Dogs Teeth?‘. In this article, we discuss oral wipes for dogs in detail, which is just one of those alternatives.
What Are Dental Wipes for Dogs and How Do They Work?
Dental wipes for dogs are essentially alcohol-free and fluoride-free tooth wipes that you can use to wipe away plaque and bacteria from your dog’s teeth. Think about them as baby wipes, but for dogs’ teeth.
They’re soft, wet, and uniquely textured. Teeth cleaning wipes for dog’s work by physically removing plaque and bacteria from your dog’s teeth and gums.
The uneven texture on these wipes gently scrubs dogs’ teeth and helps to loosen dental plaque, which is then easily wiped away. The ingredients in dental wipes also help to break down plaque and tartar, which leaves your dog’s teeth looking clean and healthy.
Benefits of Using Dental Wipes for Dogs
Some dogs (and their owners!) prefer dental wipes to a dog toothbrush. Using dental wipes for dogs’ teeth is a great way to introduce your dog to the oral care routine.
Here are some of the benefits of dog dental wipes.
- They are soft and clean the teeth and gums gently resulting in a positive experience for a dog.
- Some specially formulated teeth wipes for dogs also prevent tooth pain.
- They are disposable and come in a resealable pouch, which makes them easy to take on the go.
- You can get them in different flavors.
- They are suitable for dogs of all ages and breeds.
- If used as directed, dental wipes for dogs are safe to use and will not harm your dog.
How to Choose the Best Dental Wipes for Your Dog?
When choosing the best dental wipes for your dog, make sure to choose a product that:
- is alcohol-free
- is fluoride-free
- is safe to use on dogs of all ages
- has textured surface
- comes in a resealable pouch or container
- is available in different flavors (your dog will thank you for this one!)
Dogs are fussy just like humans. So, you may need to experiment to see which dog teeth wipes suit the best for your dog.
How to Use Dog Dental Wipes Properly?
Cleaning your dog’s teeth with dental wipes is easy. To use dental wipes for dogs, all you need to do is:
Step 1: Open the resealable pouch and take out a dental wipe. To prevent the wipes from drying up, make sure to seal the pouch back properly.
Step 2: Wrap the dental wipe around your index finger ensuring it does not come off.
Step 3: Gently lift your dog’s lip.
Step 4: Rub the dental wipe along the gum line and teeth.
Step 5: Repeat the process on the other side of your dog’s mouth.
Step 6: Dispose of the dental wipe in the trash.
Repeat the process 2-3 times per week or as directed by your veterinarian to keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy.
Note: Never flush dental wipes down the toilet as they can clog pipes.
Precautions to Be Taken While Using Oral Wipes for Dogs
Unlike dog toothbrushes, using dog teeth cleaning wipes requires you to put your fingers inside your dog’s mouth. This can be a little tricky, especially if your dog is not used to having something inserted in his/her mouth.
And I don’t need to tell you that you should be careful, especially if you have adopted an adult dog. It’s not natural for the dog to get its mouth cleaned in this way.
So, give your dog some time to adjust to the dental wipes and the complete process of teeth cleaning. Also, care should be taken to prevent your dog from accidentally swallowing the dental wipes. Make sure you use the right size teeth wipes for your dog.
Are Dental Wipes More Effective Than a Dog Toothbrush?
Using a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste is the most common way to clean a dog’s teeth. But this can be tricky, especially if the dog hasn’t been trained to do so from an early age. And if you have adopted an older dog, then it is even more likely to be an issue.
Dental wipes, on the other hand, are easier to use and don’t require any training. But dental wipes may not be as effective as a dog toothbrush in cleaning the teeth.
So, it depends on what you are looking for. If you want an easy and convenient way to clean your dog’s teeth, then dental wipes are a good option. But if you want something more effective, then a dog toothbrush is the way to go.
A safe approach is to use dog dental wipes until the dog is used to getting his mouth handled and is comfortable with the process. After that, you can slowly switch over to a good-quality dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste.
So, Do Dental Wipes for Dogs Work?
Most dog owners are often just worried about the external appearance of their dogs and do not pay much attention to their pet’s dental hygiene.
But the truth is, dogs can suffer from the same dental problems as we do and just like us, dogs will benefit from clean teeth and healthy gums. Just like us, dogs too need to have their teeth cleaned every day.
And dental wipes for dogs are an easy and effective way to do that!
