How To Brush Your Basset Hound’s Teeth

Basset hounds have strong and healthy teeth. If you wish to keep them that way, you will need to brush your basset hound’s teeth at least twice a week. Tartar often accumulates on a dog’s teeth, and brushing is needed.

Tartar buildup on basset hounds’ teeth can cause a lot of discomfort due to the irritation. It is also a breeding ground for bacteria which in most cases leads to infection and periodontal disease. From there, the bacteria can travel throughout the body and cause many medical problems like heart disease and stomach issues. So, here is how to brush your basset hound’s teeth and keep them healthy.

How To Brush Your Basset Hound’s Teeth

If you don’t brush your basset hound’s teeth, the tartar will build up on the teeth and gums. Then it will harden and turn into plaque. We all know that plaque is the leading cause of cavities.

Apart from that, your basset hound’s breath will smell really bad. So, if you wish to have a good-smelling dog with healthy teeth, here is how to brush your basset hound’s teeth:

1. Set up a routine

Start dental hygiene right after you get your basset hound puppy. It is easier for the pup to get used to brushing his teeth while he is still young. I am not saying that you can’t brush an adult basset hound’s teeth, but I am saying that it is easier to do it on a small puppy.

You should brush your basset hounds’ teeth at least twice a week. I personally brush my dog’s teeth 3 times a week. Basset hounds have strong teeth, so you really don’t have to brush them every day. They are actually considered low maintenance when it comes to their teeth.

2. Buy a doggie toothbrush

Basset hounds have deep mouths, so you need to buy a toothbrush with a long handle. I personally use a toothbrush from the Oral-B company. You can check out the price on amazon.com.

Since you will be brushing your basset hound’s teeth 3 times a week, it is ideal if you change his toothbrush every 3 months. If you notice that the toothbrush smells weird, change it even sooner.

3. Buy a doggie toothpaste

In order to clean your basset hounds teeth, you will need toothpaste. You shouldn’t use your toothpaste because some of the ingredients might be toxic to your pet. Instead, buy toothpaste that is dog-friendly.

I use toothpaste from the TropiClean company. You can check out the price here on amazon.com. This is probably the most effective toothpaste for my basset hound, but it is not the one I used at the beginning. When my basset hound was a pup, he hated teeth brushing. So, I had to get him toothpaste with a peanut butter taste. As soon as he got a little bit older, I changed to the toothpaste that actually cleans tartar.

4. Sit in front of your pup

Brushing your basset hound’s teeth for the first time might be a little bit scary for your puppy. That is why it’s important that you don’t stand above your dog as you might appear as scary. Instead, sit in front of your basset hound or beside him. Put a little bit of the toothpaste on your finger and let him lick it. If your toothpaste has a flavor that he likes, he will enjoy the process.

You can easily win a basset hound over his tummy. Try getting a toothpaste that has a peanut butter or strawberry taste. Your pup will enjoy the taste and you will be able to clean his teeth fast.

5. Start brushing

Put some of the toothpaste on the toothbrush and lift your basset hound’s upper lip. Begin brushing with the bristles at a 45-degree angle. You need to make sure to reach the gum line. Start making circles and brush from top to bottom on each side. Add more toothpaste if needed.

You can introduce your basset hound with chew toys. These are great in between teeth-brushing sessions and can keep plaque and bad breath at bay.

6. Verbal praise and treats

Verbal praise and treats go a long way. While you are brushing your basset hound’s teeth, make sure to give them a lot of verbal praise. As soon as you are done brushing, you can give them a healthy snack as a treat. I know that you just brushed their teeth, but it is important to reward them so they will start liking the teeth-brushing session.

How Often Should I Brush My Basset Hounds Teeth?

Dental hygiene is very important for the overall health of your basset hound. The food that’s left in your dog’s mouth will become bacteria over time. That bacteria can easily lead to some infection. That’s why it is important that you brush your basset hound’s teeth. But, how often should you brush your basset hound’s teeth?

You should brush your basset hound’s teeth three times a week. They have strong and healthy teeth, so brushing them three times a week will is enough.

You can get your dog chewing toys that he can use in between the teeth-brushing sessions. That is another great way to keep your dog’s dental hygiene at a high level. Also, a dog’s mouth has a lot of bacteria. You should wear gloves while brushing their teeth. If you are not comfortable with gloves, make sure to wash your hands after each brushing.

You should introduce teeth brushing while your basset hound is still a puppy. Get toothpaste with a flavor of something that he enjoys, like peanut butter. That will make brushing the teeth something that your basset hound will look forward to.

Do you have a basset hound or are you planning on owning one? Let me know how often do you brush your basset hound’s teeth and how you do it. Maybe share the name of the toothpaste and toothbrush that you use and why. If your tricks are better than mine, I will update my article.

Do Basset Hounds Have Teeth Problems?

Although Bassets typically have strong and healthy teeth, they can still suffer from cavities, gum disease, infected gums, and plaque buildup. Brushing their teeth regularly (or giving them chew toys designed to prevent tartar buildup) can help to reduce the risk of these problems.

Basset Hounds have powerful scenting abilities, which are enabled in part by their long muzzled faces and incredibly strong teeth. This breed’s expansive jaws have been genetically modified to pack in more teeth than any other type of dog. A full set of Basset Hound teeth consists of 42 individual chompers; a mix of 12 incisors, four canines, and 26 molars that aid in their tireless tracking work.

Brushing your Bassets’ teeth is vitally important to their oral health. Just like humans, dogs can get a buildup of tartar and plaque on their teeth if they don’t brush them regularly. If left untreated, this can lead to periodontal disease which is incredibly painful for the animal, not to mention expensive to treat at the veterinarian.

The best way to avoid this problem is by brushing your dog’s teeth with pet-safe toothpaste several times each week. Additionally, make sure to take your pup in for annual dental checkups to make sure their oral hygiene is up to standard. Doing these simple steps can ensure that your dog will be healthy and happy well into old age!