Dental Care at Home
by Lynne Randoll, DVM

Nobody likes going to the dentist, and that includes our pets. But no one likes the pain and misery that tooth problems can cause. In the best of all possible worlds, you would care for your pet's teeth as well - or better - than your own. We start out here with that information. But read on for some "real world" advice as well.

Why Care?
The most commonly diagnosed disorders in both dogs and cats are dental calculus and gingivitis (in people, these are known as tartar and gum disease). Different breeds and sizes have varying susceptibility to these problems. For example, greyhounds tend to have chronic bad teeth and retrievers get off easy. Smaller breeds have more trouble than larger breeds.

Without intervention, calculus and gingivitis may progress to periodontal disease. More than 85% of dogs and cats over four years of age have some amount of periodontal disease. This can include inflammation and bacterial infection of the gums, tooth sockets and the structures which hold the teeth in place, leading to premature loss of teeth. Any or all of these can be painful, and can cause damage to other parts of the body, such as: the brain, heart, kidneys, liver and lungs.

When to Care?
Home dental care should begin:

• As soon as the adult teeth are fully erupted; this is about 6-10 months of age. Some owners start earlier to train their pet to accept brushing.
• When calculus or gingivitis are first diagnosed.
• After a dental prophylactic procedure.
• When you first get a full-grown dog of any age.

How to Care?
The best care that you can give your companion is to regularly brush their teeth. If you start before periodontitis occurs, you will only need to brush three or four times a week to maintain good oral health. If periodontal disease has already begun, daily brushing is necessary to keep the condition under control. The better the routine, the less your pet will require professional dental care (and the more money you will save).

The following tips should help make tooth brushing more enjoyable for everyone involved:

Brushing Teeth:

• Only use toothpaste recommended for pets. Products designed for people can cause frothing, foaming, vomiting or nausea.
• Use a toothbrush recommended for pets or use a children’s pediatric soft bristled brush. Pet brushes now come in many sizes, shapes and colors!
• Start slow and stay relaxed! Remember that it may take weeks to months to train your companion to enjoy this level of care.
• Start by rubbing your finger (dipped in something yummy like broth, or juice from canned pet food or canned meat) on their front teeth.
• As they become accustomed to this, gradually extend the motion around to the cheek teeth (this is a common site of tartar buildup).
• When your pet accepts this easily, switch to one of the yummy new flavors of pet toothpaste (beef, malt, poultry, fish and vanilla-mint)!
• Lastly, graduate to the toothbrush. Use a small back and forth motion parallel to the gum line. Most pets move their heads slightly and the end result will be the traditional oval-brushing pattern.
• Dogs are easier to train, but cats can also learn.
• BE PATIENT! How long did it take for YOU to learn to brush your own teeth correctly?
• The tongue helps keep the inner surface of the teeth clean. Concentrate your efforts on the cheek surface, especially the back two teeth.
• Keep you sessions short, no more than two minutes. This should be enjoyable for everyone.
• Reward your pet with a favorite activity at the end, throw a ball, dangle a feather, etc.
• Some pets even use electric toothbrushes (watch out for long mustaches) and/or a Waterpic (Teledyne).
• Try to brush daily; it’s the best way to maintain a routine.

Okay, tooth brushing is the “Gold” level of home dental care. Everyone agrees that they should do it. In reality, with hectic schedules, multiple-pet households and life on the fast track, we can hardly manage to brush our own teeth. If you cannot see any way to accustom your companion to tooth brushing, or you don’t have the time or inclination (yes, I know it happens…), there are other options. Remember that this choice increases the risk of disease and increases the need for professional dental care.

Please try to incorporate at least two of the following as part of your routine home healthcare, three, if you’re not brushing regularly.

Diets:

Eukanuba Dental Defense –Available in almost all dry adult and senior formulas of Eukanuba and Iams dog and cat foods, this system is proven to reduce tartar buildup by 55% in dogs and 45% in cats!

Friskies Dental Diet – Approved by the Veterinary Oral Care Health Center (VOHC), this diet is available in most grocery stores and can help reduce tartar and plaque by 25%.

Science Diet Prescription Diet t/d - Approved by the Veterinary Oral Care Health Center (VOHC), this diet can be used as a food or a treat, although it is somewhat fattening. As little as 8-10 kibbles per day (either mixed with food or given as treats) has been shown to be helpful.

Science Diet Oral Care – Similar to t/d but available in pet stores, this food must be fed as a diet to reduce plaque and tartar by 40% and stain by 50%.

Treats/Chew Toys

The more your companion chews, the more it helps. Some things are better to chew on than others. Many new items are coming out on the market which are far superior to anything that we have had in the past. Never, never, never give bones to your pets! Yes, I mean store-bought or homemade, cooked or raw, beef, pork, lamb or venison, and especially not poultry! Not only do bones cause trauma (and often break) teeth, but they can cause gastrointestinal problems as well. Remember, if you know that your pet has an allergy to a particular food, such as beef or chicken, don’t buy beef or chicken flavored treats. Also on my list of all-time No’s are: hooves, ears, tails and the very hard “Galileo” products (Nylabone).

Stick with chewing items which are softer than teeth. Some are meant to be consumed, others are designed to last weeks or months. Yummy consumables include Chew-eez (Alpo), CET Chews, Greenies or plain rawhide. The other products from Nylabone, such as Flexible, and Durable Chews, Breath Bone and NutriDent, are also quite appealing. Try to find products which carry a VOHC approval. Always watch your pet while it is chomping on its favorite treat. Remove the treat if/when there is any danger that your companion may swallow any portion without chewing it first.

Soft chew toys can provide months of fun, but some pets prefer to “kill” and devour their prey, making stuffed toys a danger. Any stuffing or fabric accidentally ingested by your pet can lead to life-threatening problems. Be sure that you know how safely your pet plays with any toy before allowing long-term enjoyment. Rope toys can be chewed with pet toothpaste smeared on them; this way your pet brushes their own teeth. Do not play “tug-of-war” games with your dog because this not only can lead to dental problems but behavioral issues as well . Be aware that excessive chewing of tennis balls can actually wear down teeth over time, leading to eventual complications.

Mouthwash, Gels and Water Additives

Several manufacturers make mouthwashes, in liquid, gel or foam, that can be sprayed onto your pets teeth daily. These do significantly reduce the amount of plaque and tartar buildup. Even easier to use is a water additive such as Breathalyser ™ which is added to your pets regular drinking water. While not as effective as brushing, these products can play a vital role in the battle against tooth decay.

Barrier Sealants

After a professional dental prophylaxis treatment, at Northwest Pet Hospital we always apply Oravet sealant to the pet’s teeth. Weekly application at home of Oravet Gel maintains this invisible barrier and retards the formation of tartar and plaque, sometimes letting pets go twice as long in between regular cleanings.

Please help us care for your pet. Choosing to do any of the above options may significantly improve your pet’s dental health. Choosing three or more may either greatly extend either the length or quality of your pet’s life – or both.