You can do a lot to help your pet have a happy, comfortable mouth and pleasant breath between veterinary dental cleanings.
Just like in people, the bacteria biofilm starts forming on the teeth within hours of a cleaning or brushing and forms a slimy layer. The bacteria then invade the pockets beneath the gum line and calcify to form tartar. There are several different categories of products that can help.
• BRUSH! This is the most effective method of plaque control. It mechanically removes the bacteria and the pet toothpaste enzymatically kills bacteria. To make a significant difference you should adhere to a minimum of 5 days a week.
Human toothpaste can be toxic due to fluoride and xylitol, so use a pet-safe one.
There is a training period in which the brush is gradually introduced:
- Start slow with having your pet lick some toothpaste from your finger for a few days. Then reward with a treat.
- Next, have them lick it from the brush, again reward with a treat.
- When they start associating the brush with a positive experience, slowly introduce it into their mouth, then reward.
- Work up to lightly brushing the outside of the pet’s teeth. You don’t need to open their mouths—just pull their lips back and brush what you can see.
You will need:
- Small nylon toothbrush
- Pet-safe toothpaste (e.g., CET)
We get it… this may not be practical for everyone.
• CHEW! Mechanical cleaning with dental chews is effective.
Extremely hard chew toys such as pig feet, antlers, ice cubes, hard nylon bone, and butcher bones are NOT recommended. These very commonly cause fractured teeth and do more harm than good. Tennis balls are also not a good choice, as they wear down the teeth.
Products that are approved and proven to decrease tartar include:
- CET Dental Chews
- Greenies
- Kong Toys
• RINSE! Antiplaque treatments are very effective in killing 99% of the bacteria that cause disease.
This is a rinse applied to the cheek pocket on each side of dogs (not well tolerated in cats). You don’t need to rinse each tooth individually. Follow with a treat reward to build a positive association.
- CET rinse (wipes are also available)
Water additives are also available that have a similar enzymatic action. There are also several prescription diets available. They combine mechanical scraping and/or enzymatic cleaning of the teeth.
Many products at pet stores advertise improving dental health, but the examples above have gone through a certification process proving these claims.
At-home dental care is not a substitute for professional cleaning, but it can significantly decrease the plaque and calculus that cause deeper disease.
Regular dental care will make a big difference in the health of your pet—and their fresh breath will make a big difference in yours!
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www.Coastvet.net