Equally important to annual dental
exams at your veterinarian’s practice is home dental care, including brushing
your pet’s teeth every day if possible. AAHA recommends a technique for both
younger and older animals, although it’s easier to start brushing when your pet
is young.
To introduce a fearful cat or dog to
the idea of dental care, start slowly and gradually. Dip a finger into beef
bouillon (for dogs) or tuna water (for cats) and gently rub along your pet’s
gums and teeth. The most important area to focus on is the gum line (the
crevice where the gums meet the teeth), where bacteria and food mix to form
plaque. Focusing on the gum line, start at the front of the mouth, then move to
the back upper and lower teeth and gum areas. Once your pet is okay with a
little bit of touching, gradually introduce gauze over your finger and rub the
teeth and gums in a circular fashion.
When your four-legged friend can handle
the gauze, try brushing with a toothbrush specially designed for pets or a very
soft, ultra-sensitive toothbrush designed for people. The bristles should be
held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and be moved in an oval motion.
Scrub in the gum line, as this is where odor and infection begin. Gradually add
special dog/cat toothpaste (flavored with meat or fish), but never use people
toothpaste or baking soda, as both will upset your pet’s stomach.
Use the following process to clean the
inside surfaces of your pet’s teeth:
- Place your hand over your pet’s muzzle from the top
- Gently squeeze and push his lips on one side between
the back teeth (to keep his mouth open)
- Pull his head back gently so his mouth opens
- Brush his teeth on the opposite side
- Repeat this process for the other side
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. With plenty of praise and
reassurance, your dental sessions can bring the two of you closer---a closeness
that won’t be marred by the perils of dog breath.
Home care can be improved by feeding
your pet an unmoistened dry pet food and offering him hard biscuits after each
meal. Both dry food and hard biscuits produce abrasion to help keep plaque to a
minimum on the crown of each tooth.
Dental care of dogs and cats is one of
the most commonly overlooked areas of pet health care; however, it is necessary
to provide optimum health and quality of life. Diseases of the oral cavity, if
left untreated, are often painful and can lead to more serious health problems
including heart, lung and kidney disease.
AAHA 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 and 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 to schedule a dental
exam.
There are two critical components of
your pet’s veterinary dental care: oral examinations and dental cleanings.
Veterinary dental care begins at the puppy and kitten life stage. As your pet
ages, your veterinarian will look for developmental anomalies, the accumulation
of plaque and tartar, periodontal disease and oral tumors. Veterinarians can
perform a basic oral examination on patients that are awake. However, when a
cleaning is required, your pet will need to be induced under general anesthesia
wherein a thorough examination will be done prior to the cleaning. Dental
cleanings performed while your pet is awake is not only dangerous for the team
member performing the cleaning but dangerous to your pet as well.
Since there is an element of risk
associated with any medical procedure, it is important that safety precautions
are used. Among the many standards in the dentistry section, AAHA accreditation
requires that veterinarians perform thorough examinations of the teeth and
structures of the oral cavity in patients presented for dental procedures and
only properly trained practice team members perform dental procedures.
Additionally, AAHA Standards recommend that dental procedures are accompanied
by pain assessment and appropriate pain treatment.
Click here for an instructive video by the
Cornell Feline Health Center on brushing your cat’s teeth.
