About dental care and brushing your pet’s teeth

80% of dogs and 70% of cats over 3 years old have some form of periodontal (dental) disease. Dental disease causes bad breath (halitosis) and pain, it is also a source of infection and can make your pet seriously ill.

Dental disease is preventable in the vast majority of cases and in most cases, easy to achieve at home. There are many different methods to keep your pet’s “pearly white” teeth and these should be started while they are puppies and kittens.

For adult cats and dogs with existing dental disease, a dental treatment with a scale and polish under general anaesthetic is often necessary to get their mouth back into top condition. This will allow us to start prevention with a clean mouth which needs to be continued at home to hopefully prevent, or slow down dental disease developing again in the future.

1. Appropriate Food

There is scientific research supporting the use of food as an easy means of helping keep your pet’s teeth clean. Royal Canin Dental biscuit’s unique size, shape and texture produce a mechanical brushing effect on teeth, helping to remove plaque and tartar when chewed. It also helps to reduce tartar through the inclusion of a specific nutrient that effectively reduces plaque deposits.

2. Plaque Off / Dentafresh

These products have been shown to work in two different ways: by decreasing overall bacterial loads in your pets mouth, thus aiding with smelly breath, and also softening plaque on the tooth surface. If the plaque is softer, it can be brushed away more easily by an appropriate diet, brushing, or chews.

3. Bones and Chews

Products such as Greenies, Whimzees and Dentabones encourage your pets to chew, which helps rub plaque off, and also spread protective saliva around teeth.

Not every dog or cat can have bones and there are some individuals that have medical conditions or gut sensitivities that prohibit their use within the diet. Bones also create a risk of dental fractures and choking or ingestion hazards. So we recommend going for the dental chews available at your local pet store.

Please speak with your veterinary healthcare team if you are wanting to discuss your pet’s individual needs.

4. Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth

Plaque will start to accumulate 12 hours after a scale and polish or brushing, therefore it is no surprise that cats and dogs benefit from having their teeth brushed regularly. Brushing is the ‘gold standard’ method of keeping your pet’s teeth clean. We brush our teeth multiple times a day – your pet’s teeth should be brushed daily too.

There are many dental toothbrush varieties on the market, along with different designs and dental pastes. Many pet dental kits come with a microfibre finger cloth with which to start, toothpaste and a double-headed toothbrush, specifically designed for your pet’s mouth. Finger brushes can also be used.
It is important to note that cats and dogs cannot use fluoride (human) toothpaste and a specific pet dental paste needs to be selected.

Our pets need to be trained to tolerate having their teeth brushed from a young age. Starting as a puppy or kitten is ideal, and gradually developing a system is important.

Cats and small dogs may feel more comfortable if they can sit on their owner’s lap while having their teeth brushed.

• Begin slowly, initial sessions should be brief, around 30 secs to a minute with lots of rewards.
• Get your pet used to the toothbrush by dipping it in tuna juice, chicken or beef stock or just use water.
• Next try offering the toothbrush with the pet toothpaste, without brushing. Allow your pet to taste the paste.
• When your pet is comfortable with the brush try brushing one or two strokes on a few teeth. Slowly increase the amount of brushing as your pet becomes more comfortable.
• Start at the front of the mouth. Pets are often more accepting of this.

The toothbrush bristles should be placed at the gum margin where the teeth and gums meet at a 45-degree angle. The movement should be in an oval pattern. Be sure to gently force the bristle ends into the area around the base of the tooth as well as into the space between the teeth.

In the majority of pet’s lives, there comes a time when their teeth may require veterinary treatment over and above their regular examinations. A dental treatment involves a general anaesthetic and a full dental examination, including charting and scaling, both ultrasonically and by hand, and then finishing with a polish. A very similar procedure used by your own dentist. For more information specific to your pet, we encourage you to make an appointment with one of our trained Veterinary Nurses for a complimentary dental check.