BRUSH MY DOG'S WHAT?

by Jan Bellows, D.V.M.

Diplomate, American Veterinary Dental College

All Pets Dental Clinic

9111 Taft Street

Pembroke Pines, Florida 33024

1-954-432-1111

What would happen if you stopped brushing your own teeth? Even if you only

ate hard food as most dogs do, there still would be problems. You should be

brushing your dog's teeth at least twice weekly, daily if you can manage it.

It's not as difficult as you might imagine.

What are the benefits? Brushing removes the daily accumulation of plaque from

the teeth. Eventhough dogs do not commonly get cavities, they do suffer from

periodontal disease. If untreated the gum disease can lead to pain and loss

of teeth.

How to brush teeth? Step one is to pick an appropriate pet toothbrush. Save

yourself time by not buying a child's toothbrush which is usually too hard

for dogs. The ideal dog toothbrush will have a long handle, an angled head to

better fit the mouth and extra soft bristles. Another option is the finger

toothbrush that fits over the tip of your finger.

Step two is to select an appropriate toothpaste. The best pet toothpastes

contain enzymes that help control plaque. Try to avoid toothpastes with

baking soda, detergents, or salt sometimes found in human pastes. Fluoride

may be incorporated to help control bacteria. Rather than placing the paste

on top of the brush try to incorporate it between the bristles. This allows

the paste to spend the most time next to the teeth.

Step three-is to get the brush with paste into your dog's mouth and all the

teeth brushed. Most dogs accept brushing if they are approached in a gentle

manner. If you can start when they are young, it's quite easy, but even older

pets will accept the process. Start slowly, you can use a washcloth or piece

of gauze to wipe the teeth, front and back in the same manner you will

eventually be using the toothbrush. Do this twice daily for about two weeks

and your dog should be familiar with the approach. Then take the pet

toothbrush, soak it in warm water and start brushing daily for several days.

When your dog accepts this brushing, add the pet toothpaste.

The toothbrush bristles should be placed at the gum margin where the teeth

and gums meet at a 45 degree angle. The movement should be in an oval

pattern. Be sure to gently force the bristle ends into the area around the

base of the tooth as well as into the space between the teeth. Ten short back

and forth motions should be completed, then the brush moved to a new

location. Cover three to four teeth at a time. Most attention should be given

to the outside of the upper teeth.

In summary, dog home care should include daily (or at least every other

day) brushing using an enzymatic pet toothpaste. Taking an active role in the

care of your dog's dental care will help reduce dental disease, bad breath

and potential life threatening heart and kidney disease. Every one wins.