Dental care for Golden Retrievers is well recommended. As with humans, a buildup of plaque on her teeth can lead to infection and other health issues. Along with a good diet, brushing the Golden’s teeth two to three times a week keeps her teeth in tip-top form. Chews approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) are also a great way to help keep your Golden’s teeth pearly white.
Feeding a diet that includes hard kibble is helpful in removing tartar from the teeth, but only if your Golden actually chews the kibble. If she swallows her food whole, the kibble will have no effect on the tartar and plaque buildup on her teeth. Check your Golden’s teeth frequently to make sure that they are all in good working order. A broken tooth or an abscess on the gum line can be both painful and dangerous for her and will require immediate veterinary attention.
How Do You Brush a Golden Retriever’s Teeth?
First of all, you must use a special canine toothbrush and canine toothpaste. If you take a look at your Golden’s teeth, you can’t help but notice that they are significantly larger than human teeth, hence the special toothbrush. The two most popular versions of the canine toothbrush are one that looks like a human toothbrush but with a wider head, and a finger toothbrush that slips over your index finger.
You can also use a washcloth or a piece of gauze to finger brush her teeth. The special toothpaste is necessary because your Golden doesn’t have the ability to rinse and spit like we do, and human toothpaste is not meant to be ingested. Also, canine toothpaste, tastes better to dogs (thanks to chicken or beef flavoring) and is specifically designed to address canine plaque and tartar.
Begin by letting your Golden lick some canine toothpaste off of your finger so that she is familiar with the taste. Then, again using your finger, rub some toothpaste on her gums in a circular motion, so that she begins to get used to the motion and the feel of you working in her mouth. Apply the toothpaste to the brush and begin brushing just the outer side of her teeth, working close to the gum line where plaque builds up.
A quick brush is all that is needed, followed by loads of praise, and some treats or play. She will gradually relax when having her teeth brushed, and as she does, you can brush more thoroughly, working up to cleaning the inside of the teeth. Even with your best efforts, your Golden may still need to have her teeth professionally cleaned by your veterinarian from time to time. This is done under anesthesia.
What can happen if you don’t brush your Golden Retriever’s teeth? Again, much like humans, she can develop periodontal disease, which can have a very negative impact on her health over the long term.