Obviously, it is important to keep your Pomeranian’s teeth and gums healthy. You have two options: He can undergo an annual dental cleaning, which will cost $200 to $400 and includes the normal risks of anesthesia. Or you can brush his teeth to remove debris before it leads to infections.

Ideally, you should brush your Pomeranian’s teeth every day. But doing it two or three times a week will go a long way to maintain his dental health.

Plague can be easily wiped off of a dog’s teeth when it is first deposited. But when it’s left to accumulate, it will eventually harden into the thick brown coating known as “tartar.” At that point, it has worked its way under the gumline, causing periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is common in all breeds, but small breeds are especially prone to early tooth loss if this aspect of regular care is neglected. Typical symptoms include bad breath; red, spongy, painful gums; and loose teeth. If left untreated, it will evolve into serious infections and painful abscesses. 

Secondary problems can be even more serious. Tooth loss will lead to erosion of the jawbone in a small, fine-boned dog like a Pomeranian. This drastically increases his risk for a fractured jaw. Dental decay can also lead to life-threatening systemic infections.

You may need to experiment to find the teeth-cleaning method that works best for your Pom. A doggie toothbrush, a small child’s toothbrush, a finger brush or a bit of gauze wrapped around your finger can all do the job.

Use a canine-formulated toothpaste or baking soda; do not use human toothpaste! Clean each tooth in a circular motion, paying special attention to the gumline. Don’t worry about cleaning the insides of his teeth; his tongue will keep that side free of plaque buildup.

If you introduce your Pomeranian to this routine at a young age, he will not object. Training an older dog to accept it may take time. Be patient and persistent because you don’t want a mouth-shy dog. That makes it very difficult to examine his teeth, give him pills or medication or take something dangerous out of his mouth.