Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty-bitty teeth. It can seem like kind of a pain, but not caring for your Pom’s teeth properly can cause your dog serious health problems.

Dental disease in dogs can cause significant health issues, as the bacteria from infected gums and teeth can migrate to other parts of the body and affect vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and intestines. Tarter or dental calculus starts off soft, but progressively hardens on the dog’s teeth. Once hardened, it cannot be brushed away. Instead, it requires a dental scaling, just like the one you get in the dentist chair! If the teeth are left untreated, the buildup can cause inflammation of the gums, and serious infections in the mouth and elsewhere.

Does Your Pom Have Bad Teeth?

Pomeranians are particularly prone to dental problems. Buildup of plaque and tooth loss can be severe and cause problems with their daily routines. To tell if your dog has bad teeth, lift up his lips and check his teeth at the gumline – can you see tarter? Are the teeth white, or are they discolored? Does his breath smell? Are there broken teeth?

All of these can indicate the need for better canine dental care. Your veterinarian will probably do a dental check as part of their yearly checkup and can advise you as to the extent of the problem, if any.

Providing Better Pomeranian Tooth Care: Bones

Chewing on raw bones can be a good way for dogs to remove built-up tarter. But remember, Poms have very small mouths and may not be able to chew a regular bone. Instead, you might want to try one of the manufactured bones made specifically for dog dental care. I would advise against cooked bones as they can splinter and cause damage to the gums or intestine if swallowed.

Brushing Your Pom’s Teeth

Brushing is a vital part of dog tooth care, and should be done at least once a week – preferably every day. There are plenty of flavored toothpastes formulated for dogs that your pet will love the taste of. You can use a finger brush (a rubber piece that fits on the end of your finger with bristles), a hand held brush that looks much like a human tooth brush, or a little brush that fits on the end of a “ring” which you put on your finger. My Pomeranian is extremely tiny, and I find the “ring” brush works best for me.

Scaling

This procedure is done by your veterinarian, or occasionally an intrepid groomer, and is pretty much the same thing as the scaling you get at the dentist. The teeth are scraped and polished, and any loose or badly damaged teeth are removed. Your dog is put under anesthesia for this procedure. It is quite costly. Proper brushing will limit the need for this to be done.

Getting Your Pomeranian Used To Brushing

While it’s best to start when he is a puppy, it’s not too late for your older Pom to get good dental care! Start off slowly, maybe with just a dab of the toothpaste on your finger so he can lick it off (my dog loves the taste!). Be sure to use a special paste for dogs and not human toothpaste – human toothpaste can be harmful to your pet. You can get a paste from your vet that has enzymes that will help fight the bacteria. Also, you’ll want a soft brush so you don’t damage the gums.

Take it one day at a time and gradually get the dog used to you touching his head and opening the mouth. Each day try to go one step further — open the mouth, then touch his teeth, then his gums. Use your finger at first and introduce the brush later. This can be a a bonding time for you and your dog — eventually your pet may even look forward to his nightly brushing!

Remember that your Pom is very small, so you don’t want to scrub roughly and hurt the dog — just brush gently. You should try to brush your dogs teeth every day, or at least every other day, so the plaque won’t have a chance to harden. While this may seem like a chore, think of it as an important medical procedure for your pet.

And best of all, frequent brushing and proper dental care can add years to your Pom’s life!