Tooth Brushing — The Best Thing You Can Do for Your Pet’s Teeth

Gum (periodontal) disease is one of the most common health problems in dogs and cats. Thorough examinations under anesthesia find at least early gum disease in most adult pets, often by two to three years of age. It causes pain and infection and has been linked to heart, kidney and liver disease. Daily tooth brushing is the most effective way to prevent it at home — and many pets learn to accept it.

Why Daily?

Plaque — a sticky film of bacteria — re-forms within a day of cleaning and within a few days starts hardening into tartar, which brushing cannot remove. Plaque at and just below the gumline is what inflames the gums; daily brushing keeps ahead of it. In studies in dogs, more frequent brushing worked better: in one, brushing every other day was not enough to keep the gums healthy, and in another, gum inflammation was back after four weeks without brushing.

How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Always use pet toothpaste. Pets swallow the paste, and human toothpastes usually contain foaming agents and fluoride that can upset the stomach; some also contain xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs. Use a soft brush sized to the mouth — a children’s toothbrush often fits smaller dogs, and an infant brush often suits cats and toy breeds. A finger brush helps while your pet is learning. Lift the lip, angle the bristles at about 45 degrees toward the gumline and brush in small circles. Brush the outer surfaces first, with the mouth closed, sliding the brush inside the cheek to reach the back teeth. If your pet allows, brush the inner surfaces too. It all takes less than 2 minutes.

Getting Your Pet Used to Brushing

Go at your pet’s pace; the week-by-week steps are only a guide. Week 1: touch the lips and teeth with your finger. Week 2: let your pet lick toothpaste from your finger, then rub a little on the front teeth. Week 3: introduce the brush and brush a few teeth, then gradually more. Always reward your pet afterward. Never force the mouth open; keep sessions short and positive, and stop if your pet becomes stressed or tries to bite. Start handling practice while your pet is a puppy or kitten, and begin daily brushing once the adult teeth are in (at about 6–7 months). Adult pets can learn too. If your pet already has tartar, red gums or bad breath, book a dental check first.

Signs of Dental Disease

Watch for bad breath (it is not normal); red, swollen or bleeding gums; and visible tartar. Other signs include dropping food, chewing on one side only, drooling, pawing at the mouth, facial swelling, reluctance to have the head touched, behavioral changes and weight loss. Animals hide pain: many keep eating even when the mouth hurts badly, so a normal appetite does not mean a healthy mouth. After treatment, pets may become livelier, sleep better or even become friendlier.

Professional Dental Cleaning

Even with good home care, many pets, especially older ones, need professional cleaning under general anesthesia from time to time. We recommend a dental check at least once a year; a quick check without anesthesia helps us assess whether treatment is needed. Under anesthesia we clean below the gumline, where gum disease is active. We also examine every tooth and usually take dental X-rays: in studies of pets referred for dental treatment, X-rays of normal-looking teeth revealed important problems in more than one in four dogs and about four in ten cats. General anesthesia is essential: so-called “anesthesia-free dental cleaning” is purely cosmetic, cannot treat disease below the gumline and gives a false sense of security.

What Else Helps?

Dental chews and diets can help, but less than brushing. Look for the VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal, awarded when trials show a product slows the buildup of plaque or tartar. Choose the right size of chew and supervise chewing; avoid very hard chews such as antlers, hooves or nylon bones, which can break teeth. We sell pet toothpaste and soft toothbrushes for dogs and cats.

#BrushChamp — Do You Brush Every Day?

At Eläinklinikka Saari we value owners who commit to daily tooth brushing. If you brush your pet’s teeth every day, let us know — dedicated brushers receive the #BrushChamp medal! Contact us at the clinic or by email: info@saarivet.fi.

Sources

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