Family dentists recommend that we
brush our teeth two to three times
per day, floss twice daily and have
regularly scheduled annual check-ups to
keep our teeth healthy for life. So why not do
the same for your loving dog or cat's teeth?
If your pet’s teeth are not taken care of
properly, especially through regular
brushing, it’s actually susceptible to the
same problems we have. Plaque, bacteria
and gum infections can be caused by the
foods we feed our pets. In fact, 80% of
dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal
disease by the age of three. Proper dental
care could actually increase your pet’s life
by two-to-five years. Dr. Paul McCutcheon,
a holistic pet veterinarian at the East York
Animal Clinic in Toronto, Ontario,
recommends an annual assessment
of your pet’s teeth by a veterinarian.
Oral care for your pet is extremely
important for many reasons — not only
can your pet lose its teeth and develop
gum disease, it can also become ill if
infections are left untreated. So how can
you spot poor oral health at an early
stage? Obvious signs of dental infection
include bad breath, bleeding, red or
swollen gums, plaque build-up, loss of
appetite and pawing at its mouth. This
leads to bacteria, which can enter the
animal’s bloodstream. Once bacteria enters
the bloodstream, infection can spread to
the major organs, such as the lungs, heart,
kidneys and liver.
An Oral Routine
Regular daily brushing is essential as even
healthy-looking teeth may have bacteria
build-up in the spaces between the teeth and
gums. So here are a few suggestions to help
keep your pet’s pearly whites healthy:
1. Book a visit once a year with your pet’s vet
for a dental examination.
2. Consider using a toothbrush specially
designed for pets, which easily fits the size
of your pet’s mouth. These brushes are
available at your vet's clinic or local pet store.
3. McCutcheon recommends brushing your
dog or cat’s teeth twice a day. Also, use
toothpaste that is made specifically for pets.
With a variety of pet toothpaste flavours
available, try a small sample package to
ensure your pet likes the flavour first. You
may also combine brushing with a liquid
tartar remover that may be placed in the
water dish, which also helps freshen your
pet’s breath.
4. There’s a technique to brushing your pet’s
chompers! First, hold the toothbrush at a
45-degree angle and move the brush in a
small and gentle circular motion. As an
alternative to a toothbrush, use gauze with
toothpaste. Wrap the gauze around your
finger and apply toothpaste to your
wrapped finger, then lift the lip to expose
the outside surface of the teeth. Gently rub
the teeth and gums in a circular motion.
5. Investigate the ingredients in your pet’s food
and consider putting your pet on a holistic
and natural diet, which could help prevent
tooth decay. McCutcheon recommends food
with all natural raw ingredients rather than
carbohydrates. Chemicals, carbohydrates
and sugar are commonly found in processed
pet foods and help contribute to tooth decay
in your pet. First though, consult with your
vet to see if a raw food diet is suitable for
your pet’s breed.
6.
You may also want to entertain your dog or
cat with oral hygiene chews. Just remember
that these are not substitutes to brushing
your pet’s teeth.
If you just started taking care of your
four-legged friend’s teeth, maybe you’ve
already experienced some difficulty. There’s
no need to worry, though — the more often
you brush its teeth, the more your dog or cat
will cooperate. In the end, your pet will love
you for it!
References
Pharmacia Animal Health Marketing
brochure. Orangeville, Ontario.
Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, by
James M Giffen, M.D., and Liisa Carlson,
D.V.M., pg 227-228, Howell Book House, New
York, New York, 2000.
Tooth or Dare? 
