Keeping your pet’s teeth clean
and healthy is a very important part of pet ownership! Tartar buildup leads to gingivitis,
periodontal disease as well as abscessed teeth.
These conditions are a recipe for a very painful and unhealthy mouth. As bacteria is absorbed from the mouth into
the bloodstream it is circulated throughout the body which can lead to disease
in vital organs such as the kidneys, liver and even the heart. Here are a few tips to help develop and maintain
a dental home care routine with your pet!
1. Start
young if you can! We recommend introducing
your pet to the process at about 8 – 12 weeks of age to get them used to
brushing once their permanent teeth have grown in. However, take a break during
the teething process as there is likely to be some irritation associated with
their permanent teeth growing in.
2. Establish
a routine - try to set aside the same time each day so it becomes a part of
your pet’s normal schedule. If your pet
is food motivated try brushing right before dinner so they will be rewarded for
their co-operation.
3. Make
it fun! Use lots of rewards, love and
praise throughout the process and remember to be patient.
4. Do
not rush the process. Start simply by
handling your pet’s mouth, rub their lips and gums to get them used to being
handled in that specific area. Try a
drop of low sodium chicken or beef broth or some tuna juice for cats on your
finger to help them look forward to your sessions together.
5. Once
your pet is more comfortable with their mouth being handled, wrap a piece of gauze
or a wash cloth around your finger and add some pet friendly toothpaste to the
tip. Pet toothpastes do not include
detergents so they are safe for our pets to swallow. There are a number of different flavours
available like poultry, seafood, malt and vanilla mint!
6. Finally,
add a toothbrush. There are a number of
different toothbrushes designed for pets and we would be happy to help you
select the right one – you can even use a baby tooth brush from the drug
store. Hold the brush at a 45 degree
angle and use a back and forth motion focusing on the gum line as this is
where bacteria and tartar start to form and build up. Concentrate your efforts on the cheek side of
the teeth - the tongue side is not as critical.
Make sure to offer treats and rewards as your pet allows you to brush.
7. Once
you and your pet are confident with your brushing routine Dr. Dunn recommends
at least twice a week as a minimum and every day as a maximum.
If brushing is difficult or not
an option for you and your pet, there are other measures you can take to help
dental health. Dental diets are
veterinary exclusive foods which are formulated as a large kibble that resists
crumbling and helps with the mechanical cleaning of the teeth. While they will not get rid of tartar that
has already formed, they are very helpful at inhibiting the progression of new
tartar and can lengthen the time between dental cleanings.
Please let us know if you have
any questions about dental home care or any of the dental diets. We would love to discuss this with you and
help you develop an appropriate dental health routine for your pet!
Jennifer
