How to clean a Bichon mouth?

In a warm home, the cute Bichon is always full of energy. Its furry figure shuttles through the rooms, coming up to you from time to time, rubbing your hand with its wet nose, and wagging its tail for a hug. This little angel brings us endless joy and has become an indispensable member of the family. However, while taking good care of its eating, drinking, defecating and urinating, and paying attention to its daily play, we often overlook an extremely important health detail - the oral hygiene of the Bichon. ​

The mouth of a Bichon is like a delicate and fragile little world. Don't be fooled by their carefree grins on weekdays. In fact, like humans, once oral hygiene is not done well, it is very easy to be entangled in various dental problems. Bichon has a small mouth and relatively dense teeth. This physiological structure allows dental plaque and tartar to accumulate rapidly in a short period of time. Dental plaque is like a group of silent "little bad guys", adhering to the surface of the teeth, constantly eroding the teeth and gums.

If not cleaned in time, they will gradually "grow" and form dental plaque, which will cause gum disease, tooth decay, and make the dog's breath become extremely unpleasant. What's more serious is that if gum disease is not effectively treated for a long time, the bacteria may spread to other parts of the body along the blood circulation, affecting the normal function of important organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. The pain of the teeth will make the originally lively and playful Bichon Frise become listless, lose interest in playing, and no longer interact with you as enthusiastically as before. Therefore, cleaning the mouth of Bichon Frise is not only to make the home less smelly, but also to protect their overall health and happy life. ​

To clean the mouth of Bichon Frise, first of all, you must be patient and let it adapt to the process step by step. At first, when the dog is relaxed, you can gently stroke around its mouth and nose, and the movement should be gentle, just like treating a precious treasure. At the same time, talk to it in a gentle and soothing tone to let it feel your love and kindness. This small action only needs to last for a few minutes each time. If you keep doing it every day, in about a week, your dog will slowly get used to your hand moving around its mouth and will no longer resist. When it can accept this step comfortably, we can move on to the next stage. ​

Next, it is crucial to choose the right cleaning tools. The soft-bristled toothbrush designed for dogs on the market is an excellent choice. Its soft bristles will not hurt the delicate gums of Bichon Frise. If you find it inconvenient to use an ordinary toothbrush, you can also try a finger toothbrush. A finger toothbrush is like a small "finger sleeve" that fits tightly on your finger. When you first start brushing your dog's teeth, this toothbrush allows you to better control the strength and angle, helping your dog gradually become familiar with the feeling of brushing teeth.

Speaking of toothpaste, be sure to pay attention and never use human toothpaste for Bichon Frise. Fluoride and other ingredients in human toothpaste may pose health risks if they are accidentally ingested by dogs. We need to choose toothpaste specially developed for dogs. These toothpastes usually have tempting flavors such as chicken, beef or peanut butter, which can make Bichon Frise less resistant when brushing its teeth, and may even cooperate because they like the taste of toothpaste. ​

When everything is ready and you really start cleaning, make sure you and your dog are in a quiet and comfortable environment. You can sit on a soft carpet and hold your Bichon Frise in your arms to let it feel your warmth and peace of mind; or let it lie down next to you obediently. Then, gently lift its upper lip and carefully expose its teeth. When brushing teeth, start from the back of the mouth and brush slowly forward along the outside of the teeth in small circular motions.

Be especially gentle near the gum line, where the gums are very sensitive and may hurt the dog if you are not careful. Throughout the process, always pay attention to the dog's reaction. If it shows nervousness, restlessness, and tries to break free, don't force it to continue. You might as well pause, give it some comfort, and try again after a while. Forcing your dog to brush its teeth will only make it fearful and disgusted with it, and it will be even more difficult to clean its mouth in the future. ​

If your Bichon Frise really doesn't cooperate with the use of a toothbrush, don't worry, there are other ways. There are special pet dental wipes on the market. These wipes are pre-soaked with oral cleaning solutions, which can effectively clean the dirt on the surface of the teeth and freshen the breath. When using, just gently wipe the dog's teeth and gums. In addition, dental gel is also a good choice. You can dip a proper amount of gel with your fingers or cotton swabs and apply it evenly on the dog's teeth. The special ingredients in the gel can decompose dental plaque and play a role in cleaning and protecting teeth. ​

The key to cleaning the mouth of a Bichon Frise is perseverance. It is recommended to brush your dog's teeth at least two to three times a week. If the dog adapts well, brushing every day can better maintain its oral health. Over time, with your persistence, the dog will gradually regard brushing teeth as a part of daily life, just as natural as eating and playing every day. ​

In addition to directly cleaning teeth, a reasonable diet can also help the oral health of Bichon Frise. There are some dental snacks and staple foods specially designed for pets on the market. They are usually hard in texture. When dogs chew, these foods are like small "cleaning guards" that can help rub off plaque and tartar on the surface of teeth. However, although these snacks and foods have a certain auxiliary effect, they can never replace daily brushing and cleaning. They are only a supplementary means to maintain oral hygiene. ​

Between brushing teeth, we should not take it lightly and pay more attention to changes in the oral cavity of Bichon Frise. Carefully observe whether the dog's gums show signs of redness, swelling or bleeding, check whether the teeth are loose, and pay attention to whether it has difficulty chewing when eating. If any abnormalities are found, it is best to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. With professional knowledge and rich experience, veterinarians can give accurate diagnoses and professional advice, and if necessary, they will conduct more comprehensive and in-depth oral examinations for dogs. ​