I think we can all agree that we all want the best for our fur babies. And if you're really dedicated to giving them the best life they deserve, I'm here to remind you of one of the most important parts a dog owner like you should pay attention to: dental hygiene!

Like nutrition, proper exercise, and grooming, dental hygiene is just as important to your dog and their overall health. You see, dogs use their teeth for many things, such as eating, holding, pulling, and carrying things. Unfortunately, not every fur-parent checks on their furry baby's dental health as often as their own, and, well, that results in plaque and tartar buildup, which can lead to bad breath, broken teeth, or even losing teeth and periodontal or gum disease – all of which are not unheard of and are actually quite common. But fret not because, as your friendly neighborhood fur-parent, we'll touch upon three at-home ways to help make sure your favorite furbaby's teeth and mouth are as clean as it can get (so you can enjoy their sweet but wet kisses to your heart's content!).

Brush your dog's teeth

Why, of course, on top of this list is something you as a human can relate to. Brushing your dog's teeth is the most effective way to keep harmful bacteria, plaque, and tartar at bay. Pero clarify ko lang na hindi 'to one-time thing ha! It's best to do it daily, but if you can't, try mong i-achieve na magawa ito at least three times a week!

When choosing the right tools to brush your furbaby's teeth, pick a soft-bristled pet toothbrush or a finger brush of the right size and pair it with a toothpaste specifically formulated for dogs. And please, huwag nating gagamitin ang toothpaste natin sa kanila! Most human toothpastes actually contain components na posibleng toxic para sa ating dogs, so best na mag-stick tayo with products made for them.

Now comes the hard part! Making your furry babies fond of brushing teeth can be quite tricky. So, to ease them into liking toothpaste and teeth brushing, you can slowly train them the way you train them to do tricks, and by training them, I mean you gotta have a lot of patience. You can start by smearing a small amount of toothpaste on your fingertip and allowing your dog to lick and taste the toothpaste. This part is a trial and error process since you have to find one with the right taste that your pup would be keen to eat.

Next up is getting your big baby used to having something in his mouth. You can test this by rubbing your finger along their upper gums and teeth. Again, patience! You may need to get them comfortable with this over a few sessions before moving on to brush their canine teeth, to trying to brush their teeth further back in the mouth, to doing a session of brushing all their teeth. Once all is done, don't forget to end on a positive note by rewarding them with their favorite treat!

Let them chew their chew toys

It's no secret that dogs love to chew, so let them at it to their heart's content! 

Chewing is one way to help clean as well as strengthen your dog's teeth and gums! And, aside from doing an excellent job at getting rid of surface tartar buildup, toys designed to be chewed on by every man's and woman's best friend can provide an excellent exercise for your best pal's jaw muscles. On top of that, chew toys also redirect your dog's natural chewing tendencies, saving your tsinelas and sapatos from when they get bored. So, when you think about it, you're actually hitting a few too many birds at once! 

Pero wait! Chew toys can never replace a toothbrush ha! Iba pa rin kapag toothbrush ang ginamit to clean their teeth dahil with a toothbrush, you can really reach all of their teeth and clean the back surfaces.

Give them dental food that promotes oral health

Another easy and fun way to help out your best pals is with dental treats. These yummy treats often have a texture that acts kinda like a toothbrush. It somehow massages the dog's gums and creates a scrubbing action that can help remove bits of food stuck somewhere inside your dog's mouth, so aside from treating them to a tasty treat, you're also helping them improve their dental health.

One of the best options available in the market today that you can give to your dog once daily is PEDIGREE's small and medium Dentastix Dog Treats. These irresistible treats are totally safe for your pal to chew on and are even clinically proven to promote oral health by reducing plaque and tartar buildup. Just don't forget to pick the right size and you're good to go!

Easy, right? Well, except for the brushing of teeth part, but to see your baby dog's goofy smile in sparkling shape is all that you'll need to realize how worth it this part of pet care is. At sure ako na in no time, you'll both be smiling your biggest smiles!