How to Clean Bearded Dragons Teeth: A Simple Guide

image for how to clean bearded dragons teeth showing a close up of a bearded dragons mouth open displaying its healthy teeth, a toothbrush, Q-tip and povidone-iodine.

Knowing when and how to clean bearded dragons teeth is part of our preventative care to keep them healthy. Gum infections or tooth loss that can make eating difficult. Luckily for us, it’s quite simple.

If your bearded dragons teeth are yellow, discolored at all or the gums are a little red then they are showing stages of disease. Now is the time to clean them.

This is part 2 of a 4 part series on bearded dragons teeth, their anatomy, care and diseases:

  1. Bearded Dragon Teeth: The Essential Anatomy and Biology
  2. How to Clean Bearded Dragons Teeth: A Simple Guide ⏪you are here
  3. Problems with Bearded Dragons Teeth & How to Fix Them
  4. Mouth Rot in Bearded Dragons: What It Is and What Can I Do For It?

Why is Cleaning our Bearded Dragons Teeth Important?

Cleaning our bearded dragons teeth helps prevent plaque buildup that can cause infections or even tooth loss. Without proper care, our beardies may struggle to eat and that means they will also lose access to the nutrients they need. Plus, a skinny bearded dragon is actually at more risk of dental disease so they will end up on a downward slide (see the post on Problems with Bearded Dragons Teeth & How to Fix Them).

Additionally, the majority of our beardies teeth are acrodont, meaning they are fused directly to the jawbone without roots. Acrodont teeth do not regenerate, so once they are damaged or lost, there are no second chances. So, you can see this makes cleaning and maintenance really important to their long-term dental health.

Regular teeth cleaning also lets us spot early signs of problems, like unusual breath or changes in eating habits. Catching these issues early helps us prevent bigger health concerns.

showing a close up of yellow and black on a bearded dragons teeth that need cleaning
This bearded dragons teeth need cleaning. Although the teeth haven’t yellowed yet the black marks on a couple of the teeth indicate some dental problems developing.

Can I Clean my Bearded Dragons Teeth?

Yes, you can clean your bearded dragons teeth, and it’s an important part of their care. Toothbrushes may be too large and cumbersome, so a cotton swab is a better tool. Don’t use human toothpaste because it contains ingredients that can harm our bearded dragons.

How to Clean Bearded Dragons Teeth

What Can I Clean my Bearded Dragon Teeth With?

There are a few products that we can use to clean our bearded dragons teeth. Clearly we should always check with our vet before we go off using any chemicals or drugs.

The Magic of Using Maxi/Guard or Oral Gel to Clean your Bearded Dragons Teeth

Preventative products such as Maxi/Guard (designed for animals) or Oral Gel (intended for humans) are other options. DVM Shane Simpson (2015) suggests using Maxi/Guard which is applied by placing a droplet on either side of the teeth. Both products are simple to use.

Maxi/Guard is promoted as an effective oral cleanser and it also freshens breath. It is a product made for animals and can also be used on cats, horses, dogs and exotic pets. It is taste free and fights plaque, tartar and bad breath.

Maxi/Guard’s secret weapon is a special ingredient called zinc ascorbate cysteine. This imporant ingredient is like a multi-tool for dental health. It fights the bacteria that cause plaque and gum irritation (which is a major contributor to dental disease). According to Clarke (2001), zinc ascorbate cysteine neutralizes harmful byproducts created by bacteria, like sulfur compounds (which cause irritation) and fatty acids.

Even better, zinc ascorbate cysteine helps repair damaged gums by boosting collagen production—collagen is the stuff that helps rebuild healthy tissue (Clarke, 2001). So, it doesn’t just stop the problem—it helps fix what’s already gone wrong.

And yes, it’s also great for freshening up your beardie’s breath! Those smelly sulfur compounds and fatty acids created by bacteria are broken down by Maxi/Guard in as little as 30 seconds while promoting a healthier mouth overall (Clarke, 2001). So, while fresh breath is a nice bonus, the real win is how it helps keep their teeth and gums in great shape.

You don’t have to brush your bearded dragons teeth with Maxi/Guard, just apply it to the teeth and gums with a Q-tip. Don’t use your fingers just incase they get bit!

Maxi/Guard has been used in veterinary denistry for over 20 years without incident.

Using Chlorhexidine to Clean Teeth

Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic and disinfectant effective against yeast, viruses, fungus, and bacteria. When diluted to the correct concentration, it is considered safe for bearded dragons. This solution is used in treating gingivitis, dental disease, and other oral conditions.

Common concentrations range from 0.05% to 0.2%, depending on the specific needs of the bearded dragon. Using the wrong concentration can reduce effectiveness or cause irritation, so I really is best to pick up the phone and check with the vets. In humans, chlorhexidine mouthwash is not recommended for use longer than four weeks as it may lead to tooth staining and tartar buildup (James et al., 2017). Speak to your vet for guidance on safe usage.

an image for how to clean your bearded dragons teeth to prevent plaque buildup showing a close up of a bearded dragon and teeth cleaning solutions chlorhexidine, Maxi/Guard and Povidone-iodine.
Vets recommend cleaning your bearded dragons teeth to prevent plaque buildup. Solutions like chlorhexidine, Maxi/Guard and Povidone-iodine may help with veterinary guidance.

3 Things you Need to Clean a Bearded Dragons Teeth

Cleaning bearded dragon teeth is simple with the right tools. Here’s what you’ll need:

  1. Cotton swabs (Q-tips): Gentle and effective for cleaning. Human tooth brushes are a little more difficult.
  2. Vet-recommended antiseptic solutions: For safely disinfecting their teeth and gums like chlorhexidine solution, diluted povidone-iodine solution or Maxi/Guard.
  3. Soft cloth: Useful for handling any extra mess and keeping their mouth dry.

5 Steps on How to Brush Bearded Dragons

Here are 5 steps to brush a bearded dragons teeth:

  1. Hold your bearded dragon still. If your beardie wriggles try wrapping it in a clean towel to keep it still.
  2. Dip the Q-tip in the teeth cleaning solution: Dip the tip of the Q-tip into lukewarm water or antiseptic solution. The Q tip only needs to be damp, not dripping.
  3. Brush your bearded dragons teeth with the Q tip: Roll the swab from one side to the other, paying attention to the gumline and stuck debris.
  4. Rinse if necessary: If needed, rinse their mouth by wiping gently with a water-dampened Q-tip.
  5. Reward them: Offer a small treat or fresh water to make the experience more positive. Don’t offer fruit! You can see why in the next post in this series ‘Problems with Bearded Dragons Teeth & How to Fix Them’.

Cleaning a Bearded Dragons Teeth for Mouth Infection

If your beardie has an infection in its gum and soft tissue your vet will likely recommend you use a diluted solution of chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine or similar acting solution along with a Q-tip to brush your bearded dragons teeth.

Povidone-iodine, like the well-known brand Betadine, is a powerful antiseptic that can help knock out bacteria that are causing trouble. Once you’ve got your diluted solution ready, gently dip the tip of a Q-tip into it. Then softly clean along your bearded dragon’s gumline and teeth, making sure to target areas where food or plaque might linger.

How Often Should I Clean My Bearded Dragon’s Teeth?

Incorporating a bearded dragon teeth cleaning routine helps prevent plaque buildup, which can lead to serious oral health issues. Here’s what veterinarians recommend:

  1. DVM Shane Simpson (2015) suggests cleaning a couple of times a week to slow down bacterial action.
  2. Brisbane Bird and Exotics Veterinary Services (2016) recommends removing plaque every second day before it hardens into tartar. They advise using a cotton swab and diluted chlorhexidine solution as per veterinary guidelines.
  3. DVM Dayna Willems advises cleaning bearded dragon teeth 1-2 times a week for mild discoloration or every 1-2 days when teeth are discolored with mild tartar buildup. So if your bearded dragons teeth are yellow, they need cleaning. If your beardies teeth are brown or black, they definately need cleaning and a visit to the vets.

When our Vets Clean our Bearded Dragons Teeth

Our vets are great at cleaning our bearded dragons teeth during their annual checkup. Keeping our beardies teeth clean is a no brainer, prevention is better than cure and all that jazz.

During the annual vet visit you can ask your vet to do a teeth clean and that will help deal with calculus and staining that regular cleaning cannot remove. However, it might require anesthetizing your bearded dragon to check with the receptionist when booking your appointment.

Removing calculus and plaque under veterinary care will really help your bearded dragon’s dental regime.

Depending on what your vet sees, they may also recommend dietary adjustments, such as reducing sugary foods—like those naughty fruits—to keep plaque levels low.

How to Clean Bearded Dragon Teeth: The End

Regular cleaning of our bearded dragons teeth helps prevent plaque buildup, infections, and tooth loss, especially since a number of their teeth are acrodont and cannot regenerate. So put in place these procedures using just basic tools like Q tips and vet-recommended antiseptic solutions and let’s keep their mouths healthy.

More articles on bearded dragons health.

References

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