How To Care for A Pomeranian's Teeth: Vet-Approved Guide & Tips

Part of being a responsible pet owner is caring for your dog’s teeth. While some people may think that their dog is fine with just a bath now and then, the truth is that grooming your dog involves a lot more. Dogs need to have their coats brushed, their ears cleaned, and their teeth brushed regularly.

If you have a Pomeranian, they are not exempt from this care. In this article, we’ll discuss how you can care for your Pomeranian’s teeth to keep them healthy.

Why Do Dogs Need Dental Care?

Dental care is an often-overlooked aspect of canine grooming. Yet, it is incredibly important. It doesn’t just freshen your dog’s breath; it is vital to protect your dog against dental issues such as gum disease. Here’s an eye-opening statistic: as early as the age of 3, 80% of dogs will display signs of periodontal disease.1

That means that your Pomeranian is much more likely than not to be affected by dental issues, so dental care isn’t something to be brushed aside. Poor dental hygiene doesn't just affect your dog’s breath, nor are the effects limited to their mouth.

Canine dental disease begins with the accumulation of tartar on the teeth, which eventually leads to the infection and inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) and roots of the teeth. If dental disease and infection are allowed to worsen without any treatment, there is the risk of infection spreading to other parts of the body, including the kidneys, the liver, and the heart.

Dental disease can be extremely painful and can shorten your dog’s life if the infection spreads to other organs. Therefore, caring for your dog’s dental health is vitally important.  The first and best step to keeping your pup’s teeth clean and healthy is to brush their teeth on a daily basis.

Do Pomeranians Have Bad Teeth?

When caring for your Pomeranian’s teeth, it is essential to note that smaller dogs can be predisposed to dental issues. This is due to the smaller size of their mouths, which can lead to over-crowded teeth or teeth that develop at abnormal angles.

These issues can make it easier for food to become trapped between teeth, which can promote the accumulation of tartar. However, that doesn’t mean it is simply inevitable that your Pomeranian will have dental issues. If you remain proactive in your prevention efforts, you can combat dental issues and keep your Pomeranian looking and feeling their best with pearly white teeth.

The 4 Tips on How to Brush Your Pomeranian’s Teeth

Brushing your dog’s teeth may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we’ll discuss some quick tips and tricks for brushing your Pomeranian’s teeth.

1. Get Your Supplies

The first step is finding the proper supplies. Dog toothbrushes and toothpaste are available at pet stores and online retailers. Look for toothbrushes with angled handles that make brushing easier for you. Likewise, look for toothbrushes with soft bristles and multiple heads to reach every spot in your dog’s mouth.

You should never brush your dog’s teeth with human toothpaste or anything that isn’t canine-specific toothpaste. Human toothpastes are toxic for dogs because many of them contain xylitol. Canine toothpastes come in enticing flavors like peanut butter or chicken, encouraging your dog to have their teeth brushed.

If you’re unsure of which dental products to use, contact your vet for a recommendation.

2. Help Your Pomeranian Grow Accustomed to the Process

When it comes to brushing your Pomeranian’s teeth, start slowly. It’s a strange experience for your dog, and they may resist it initially, but with patience and gentleness, they can grow to accept it. Ways to help your dog grow accustomed to teeth brushing include:

• Getting them used to their mouth being handled: Dogs who are comfortable with their mouths being handled are less likely to react when their teeth need to be brushed.
• Getting them used to the toothbrush: Gently touch the toothbrush to their teeth and gums, rewarding them if they behave well. Introduce them to their toothpaste in a similar way.
• Rewarding them frequently: As your dog acclimates to new experiences, don’t forget to reward them for sitting still and being cooperative.

3. Select the Right Place at the Right Time

The location is often overlooked when brushing a dog’s teeth. Finding the right time and place to brush your dog’s teeth is vital to set the mood. If you try brushing your dog’s teeth when they are hyperactive and surrounded by chaos, you likely won’t succeed.

After a long day of fun, you can take your calm dog to a quiet room to brush their teeth. The relaxed atmosphere will likely bring you more success.

4. Brush Their Teeth Gently

When you’re ready to brush their teeth, be gentle. With one hand, carefully pull their upper lip back to expose the teeth and angle the brush slightly to reach the gumline. Then, brush a few upper teeth at a time. If your Pomeranian fights the process, stop brushing and try again later.

After you’ve brushed the teeth on the top, continue with the lower teeth. It may take several sessions if your Pomeranian tries to resist, but remember to give them a treat if they stay still and behave.

Providing a treat may seem counterproductive after you’ve brushed their teeth, but it will help your dog associate brushing with a positive experience.

Final Thoughts

Caring for your Pomeranian’s teeth is a great way to prevent dental conditions later on down the road. Although Pomeranians can be prone to poor dental health, that doesn’t mean you should resign yourself to it. You can combat dental disease with proper care and attentiveness before it can even take root.

Featured Image Credit: nadisja, Shutterstock