Dental Hygiene
Like most toy breeds, pugs have small mouths into which all forty-two teeth are crammed, making them prone to dental problems. If you want your pug to have healthy teeth and fresh breath, don't ignore his dental hygiene. Periodontal disease caused by tartar buildup is a common problem in dogs, but regular brushing (and baby carrots as treats) helps keeps the dentist at bay. Hard dog biscuits and dry dog food can help chip off small amounts of tartar, but brushing is the only way to provide the thorough cleaning your pug's teeth need. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends brushing a dog's teeth at least three times a week. Daily is better.
How to Brush the Teeth
Pugs tend to dislike having their mouths examined, so accustom your puppy to having his teeth brushed while he's still young. Puppy teeth are too sensitive for a toothbrush, but you can gently rub the teeth with a soft gauze pad or washcloth that's been moistened with water. Wipe all of the teeth, stroking upward from the gumline to the tip of the tooth.
You don't have to brush the inside of the teeth. Simply getting the outside is beneficial for overall dental care. To make brushing easier, hold the mouth shut with one hand, use your thumb to lift your pug's lip, and brush with the other hand.
When the permanent teeth come in, you can start using a toothbrush and toothpaste made for dogs. Brush the front teeth first, then move to the upper and lower teeth in the back. Get down into the crevices where teeth and gums meet, because this is where food is most likely to lodge, causing odor and infection.
Veterinary Cleanings
If your pug's teeth develop a heavy coating of tartar, he may need a veterinary cleaning. When the veterinarian cleans your pug's teeth, she removes tartar with a hand scaler, probes beneath the gumline to check for pockets where periodontal disease might start, cleans above the gumline with a mechanical scaler, cleans and smoothes the teeth beneath the gumline, polishes the teeth to create a smooth surface, and washes them with an antibacterial solution to help delay the buildup of tartar beneath the gumline and on the crown of the tooth. A fluoride treatment helps strengthen your pug's teeth, desensitize exposed roots, and decrease infection. To ensure a thorough cleaning without stressing your dog, the veterinarian uses a shortacting anesthetic so that your pug is asleep during the procedure.
