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.