Home Dental Care

Home Care Options

There are several ways you can care for your pet’s teeth every day.

• Daily brushing is the best way to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar.
• A weekly dental sealant called oravet helps prevent plaque from adhering to teeth.
• A dental diet, like Purina DH, is clinically proven to reduce the accumulation of plaque, tartar, and gingivitis every time your pet eats. This diet has also received the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s seal of approval.
• Oral rinses can flush away plague and kill bacteria that contribute to dental disease.
• CET dental chews are a treat for your pet that combines the mechanical abrasive action of chewing with antibacterial ingredients to help control plaque and eliminate bacterial buildup.
• CET AquaDent is a water additive formulated to help freshen your pet’s breath.  
• Greenies are another great treat that will help reduce tartar and plaque accumulation in your pet’s mouth. Greenies have also received the VOHC seal of approval.
• Toys that provide mechanical removal of plaque such as Plaque Attacker dental toys or rope toys. If your dog is a very aggressive chewer, choose toys that are not so hard that he could possibly break a tooth on them.

Even if you aren’t able to brush your pet’s teeth every day, you can still provide a complete home dental care program for your pet by incorporating a combination of the above products into your pet’s daily routine. Be sure to talk with your veterinarian about the options that exist and which are right for you and your pet.

Brushing Your Pet's Teeth

It’s best to start early, but grown dogs and cats can learn to tolerate brushing, too.

STEP 1: Introduce a brushing program to pets gradually. A cat or small dog can be held in your lap. At first, just let your dog or cat lick the flavored pet toothpaste off your finger or the brush. Praise and reassure your pet throughout the process.

STEP 2: After your pet has had a few daily sessions of the toothpaste as a treat, place toothpaste on your finger and gently rub along your pet’s gums and teeth. Make the initial sessions short and positive and avoid over-restraining your pet.

STEP 3: Once your pet is okay with a little bit of touching, gradually increase your brushing efforts. Focusing on the gum line, start at the front of the mouth, then move to the back upper and lower teeth and gum areas.

STEP 4: Introduce a finger brush over the finger or a small soft pet toothbrush and gently scrub the teeth in a circular motion. The bristles should be held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface. Again, focus your efforts at the gum line where bacteria and food mix to form plaque. Tongue motions seem to be effective at reducing the plaque accumulations on the insides of the teeth, so brushing inside is not necessary.

Click here for an instructive video by the Cornell Feline Health Center on brushing your cat's teeth. Click here for a video about brushing your dog’s teeth from Virbac, the makers of CET dental home care products.

TIP 1: The entire process should only take a minute or two. If your dog or cat continues to resist, try gently wrapping him in a large bath towel with only his head sticking out. Above all, avoid overstraining and keep sessions short and positive.

TIP 2:  Never use people toothpaste or baking soda, as both will upset your pet's stomach.

TIP 3: Avoid feeding table scraps or moist foods because they can increase the build up of plaque and tartar.

AAHA and Aloha Animal Hospital encourages pet owners to regularly examine their pet's teeth for signs of periodontal disease, such as brownish colored teeth; swollen, red, or bleeding gums; persistent bad breath; loose teeth or loss of teeth; pus between the gums and teeth; broken teeth or any unusual growth in the mouth. Reluctance to eat, play with chew toys, or drink cold water are warning signs of periodontal or gum disease. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of these signs in your pet.

 

 

 

 

<< Previous | Next >>