Developing a Canine Dental Care Program You don't have to struggle with your dog every single time you want to take care of his teeth. The best way to avoid any complications is to develop a daily routine. Canine dental care is important, so make sure to establish a routine with your dog as soon as possible. Start Early It's best to develop a regular brushing routine when your dog is still a puppy. The earlier your dog starts his brushing routine, the more he will be used to this routine as he grows older. If you have already missed the puppy stage, don't worry -- you can still make teeth-time fun. While it might take more time to get an adult dog used to canine dental care, it is still possible. The information listed below applies both to puppies and to older dogs. The only difference is the speed at which you begin a dental routine. Puppy Games Dogs (of all ages) love games.Turn brushing your dog's teeth into a game. Equate brushing your dog's teeth with play time or taking a walk. Your dog will associate brushing his teeth as a positive activity and will be more apt to let you prod around inside of his mouth. Since dogs are creatures of habit, make sure to brush your dog's teeth at the same time every day. For example, get into the routine of brushing your dog's teeth at noon time every day. Then, always make sure to follow this routine with a nice long walk or a trip to the dog park. Easy Does It If you have never brushed your dog's teeth before, then you will want to start gradually and go easy. If you start brushing all of your dog's teeth right away, you might scare your dog. Instead, start slowly, and work your way up to a full canine dental care cleaning. This way, you can build up your dog's trust (and avoid being bitten in the process). First, simply examine your dog's gums with your fingers. Then, start using a toothbrush bit by bit on sections of his mouth. As your dog gets used to the feel of the toothbrush in his mouth, add more sections and build to a full tooth brushing regime. The Right Stuff Do not use human toothpaste on your dog. Human toothpaste isn't meant to be ingested. Your dog can't spit out toothpaste, and it will be swallowed. Over time, allowing your dog to swallow human toothpaste can lead to stomach complications. Human toothpaste also has ingredients toxic to your dog. There are many great canine dental care products on the market right now specifically suited for your dog, including toothpaste, dental chews and oral rinses. Choose a flavor that your dog likes to ensure an easier brushing routine. Awareness Be aware of your dog's temperament at all times. If your dog looks a bit nervous, give up the brushing for one day. It will take some time for your dog to get used to the idea of brushing, but they will adjust o the routine within a short amount of time. The trick to canine dental care is to make sure that your dog feels comfortable with a toothbrush and toothpaste. As soon as your dog becomes used to a brushing routine, you will no longer have to struggle.