Most pet owners initially balk at the prospect of brushing their pet’s teeth. However, this surprisingly simple task provides a significant benefit to a pet’s oral health and overall quality of life. When you first begin to get in the habit of regularly brushing your pet’s teeth, take things slowly and provide them with plenty of praise.
Why Does Dental Care Matter?
Dental disease is one of the most common diseases diagnosed in pets. This condition can be extremely painful and can be associated with a number of other health problems. Plaque occurs when food particles and bacteria accumulate on the teeth. Over 3-5 days, this plaque hardens into tartar, which can only be removed with dental scalers. As dental disease progresses, the gums become inflamed (gingivitis) and bone loss around the tooth roots occurs, resulting in painful, loose teeth. As with most things, prevention is the name of the game. Before starting a toothbrushing routine, be sure to discuss your pet’s current dental condition with your veterinarian. If moderate to severe dental disease is already present, toothbrushing can exacerbate the pain a pet’s already painful mouth. In these cases, your veterinarian may recommend a dental cleaning before starting a home care regimen.
Toothbrushes, Toothpastes and Oral Rinses, Oh My!
The first step to brushing your pet’s teeth is to gather the proper supplies. There are many pet toothpastes, rinses, chews and dental treats on the market today, so how do you know which one is best? The Veterinary Oral Health Committee (VOHC) is comprised of specialists in veterinary dentistry. They evaluate the claims and clinical trials of the pet oral health products on the market and provide a seal for those that “Help Control Tartar” or “Help Control Plaque.” The VOHC seal is extremely helpful in making informed choices about selecting oral health products for your dog or cat. Flavored toothpastes, such as those that are poultry flavored, tend to make toothbrushing more readily acceptable to pets. Do not use human toothpastes for pets. Ingested fluoride is harmful to pets and those toothpastes that contain xylitol are highly toxic to dogs.
The real benefit of toothbrushing comes from the mechanical action of the toothbrush on the teeth. Various brushes, sponges and pads are available. The choice of what to use depends on the health of your pet’s gums, the size of your pet’s mouth and your ability to clean the teeth. Toothbrushes designed specifically for pets tend to be smaller, ultra-soft and have a somewhat different shape than those designed for people. However, smaller child-sized soft toothbrushes often work quite well for many small to medium sized pets. Finger toothbrushes that do not have a handle, but fit over your finger, may be easier for some people to use. For some dogs, starting out with dental sponges or pads may be helpful since they are more pliable. Dental sponges are softer than brushes and have a small sponge at the end of a handle and are disposable. Dental pads can help remove debris from the teeth and gums but do not provide the mechanical action that brushes do.
When to Start
Does your pet have teeth? Great! Now is the time to start brushing their teeth. It is often easier to train a pet to tolerate regular toothbrushing when it begins at an early age. While young puppies and kittens do not typically have significant plaque build up or tartar accumulation, the initial purpose of toothbrushing is to create a routine and acceptance of this process. Starting at eight to twelve weeks of age is ideal, but you may need to take a break from toothbrushing around 16 weeks when adult teeth begin to erupt. Not to worry if your pet is older. Most adult pets can learn to allow toothbrushing with a bit of patience and practice.
Preparing to Brush
Before you get started actually brushing your pet’s teeth, take some time to allow them to become accustomed to having their mouth handled. Keep sessions short and be sure to praise your pet throughout the process. A small treat, a game of fetch or a belly rub are great rewards for cooperation. Give yourself a pat on the back, too. You are doing a great thing for your pet!
Gently rub their muzzle and lift their lips. If they are comfortable with this, touch the outer surfaces of the teeth with your finger or a piece of gauze. Provide praise during the entire process and a reward when you are done. Try to do this several times per day initially. Something as simple as lifting your pet’s lip as you sit on the couch can be helpful in the long run. Once your pet seems comfortable with this process, it’s time to break out the toothbrush and toothpaste.
How-To Guide to Toothbrushing
Take things slowly and keep the experience positive. Most pets cooperate quite well for toothbrushing, particularly when it becomes a normal part of their daily routine. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make brushing your pet’s teeth a straightforward process:
- Start by finding a comfortable position for both you and your pet. Cats or smaller dogs may be comfortable sitting on your lap or on a chair, whereas larger dogs may enjoy sitting beside you on the floor.
- Find a position where you can easily lift your pet’s lip. Oftentimes it is easiest to hold the entire muzzle with your non-dominant hand, lifting one side of the lips at a time. Hold the toothbrush with your dominant hand.
- Wet the toothbrush with water and apply a pea-sized amount of a pet toothpaste to the brush.
- Using the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle to the gumline, gently brush the outer surfaces of the teeth back and forth. Your pet may only allow you to brush one or two teeth when you first start a toothbrushing routine. Gradually work to increase the number of teeth being brushed at a time.
- If you are able to brush the inner surfaces of the teeth next to the tongue, then great! However, it is most important to focus any toothbrushing efforts on the outer surfaces of the upper and lower teeth, as this is where the vast majority of plaque and tartar accumulate.
- Remember to reward your pet for a job well done.
It is important to note that while most pets tolerate toothbrushing, there are some pets that are simply not amenable to the process. If your pet tries to bite, growl or scratch, it is safest to abort the toothbrushing mission and utilize alternative options for home dental care, such as the oral rinses, water additives or treats discussed below.
How Often?
Remember that plaque begins to harden into tartar within 3-5 days. It is ideal to brush your pet’s teeth once or twice per day to minimize the presence of any plaque. Always aim for daily dental care for your pet, just as you aim for daily dental care for yourself. The hardest thing about home dental care for pets is just getting started. Once you have done it for a while, it becomes part of your daily routine. If you cannot brush daily, brushing every other day will remove the plaque before it has time to mineralize. This still has a positive effect on your pet’s oral health. Very intermittent brushing, such as only brushing a pet’s teeth every few weeks, has a negligible effect on a pet’s overall oral health.
Other Dental Care Products
Oral Rinses and Water Additives:
Many antiseptic oral rinses and water additives are available to kill bacteria in the mouth. Some veterinarians recommend utilizing these products in conjunction with a toothbrushing routine for pets with gum disease or those that do not tolerate toothbrushing.
Food:
Studies show that hard kibbles are slightly better than canned foods at keeping plaque from accumulating on the teeth. The VOHC has several dental diet recommendations, some of which are available over the counter and some are available with a prescription from a veterinarian. Avoid feeding dogs table scraps or sweet treats because they can increase the build up of plaque and tartar, and can lead to other health problems.
Toys:
The mechanical removal of plaque can be accomplished by using toys dental toys, but this is not a replacement for toothbrushing. Do not use toys that are abrasive and can wear down the teeth, such as tennis balls. Choose toys in which you can make an impression with your finger nail. Harder toys can result in broken teeth. Rawhides are a good option for chewing, but they should be taken away when they begin to get soft so as to prevent ingestion. Always supervise your dog while they are chewing on a toy.
Treats:
There are some dental chews on the market that are specifically designed to help control plaque and tartar buildup. Look for dental chews accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC).