Home oral hygiene

can make a tremendous difference in your dog’s comfort and health.  There are several home care oral hygiene options from which to choose, but keep in mind that anything you can do to help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation will pay big dividends. What really matters is whether or not home oral hygiene will be provided over the long haul – considerable effort applied only for a short period or only occasionally will be of no long-term benefit.
Listed below some commonly used options for home oral hygiene that have been proven to be of benefit for dogs. Combining several methods will achieve the best results.  All methods of home oral hygiene share the goal of preventing or controlling periodontal disease by minimizing plaque (bacterial film) accumulation, and preventing the mineralization of the plaque to form calculus (“tartar”).
BRUSHING and TOOTH-PASTES: Brushing your dog’s teeth is the single most effective means to maintain oral health between professional dental examinations. This makes sense because the bacterial film known as “plaque” is the cause of periodontal disease. This film is easily disrupted by the simple mechanical effect of brushing the teeth. Frequent (ideally daily) brushing is recommended to maintain optimal dental health. Almost all dogs will eventually accept brushing. The key to success is to be patient and gradual in your approach, brushing mainly the outsides of the “cheek teeth” located under the upper lip. A dog that resists brushing frequently may have painful areas in the mouth that need to be addressed.

A variety of products safe for pets are available in the marketplace. If you use a brush and a dentifrice, AVDC recommends pet-specific toothpastes. These come in flavors that dogs accept, such as poultry and seafood. Avoid human toothpastes as they often contain abrasives and high-foaming detergents that should not be swallowed or inhaled by dogs.

Toothbrushes designed for dogs are soft and angled to assist in brushing the back teeth. Some dogs prefer finger brushes. A variety of “dental wipes” containing different products are available. The single-use wipes are rubbed daily on the outside of the teeth to remove plaque.

Does your Pet Have Oral Problems?

Doesn't it always seem that the most friendly, up-close to your face and personal pets, are those with the worst breath! Why is it that despite us giving our pets crunchy dry food, hard objects and flossing rope chews, they still have breath that can stop a freight train? How often do we hear from our friends "My cat has stopped eating, her breath is very bad and she might have to loose all of her teeth", "My dog was just at the Vets and he had ten teeth pulled!". "My Vet said that Fife's bad teeth have probably caused the failure of his kidneys but I told him that I brush my pets' teeth once a week. Shouldn't that have been adequate?"

Over and over again, more pet owners, unfortunately, are realizing too late, the importance of good oral health for their pets. Sometimes, despite their best intentions, they are sabotaging their pet's oral health. Why should our pet's teeth and their care be any different from our own oral hygiene needs? What are the signs and symptoms associated with oral disease?

Warning Signs of Oral Disease

Acting hungry but being reluctant to eat
Dropping food out of their Mouth
Refusing to play with their toys
Halitosis or bad breath
Rubbing or pawing at their face
Salivation or drooling
Sneezing and Nasal discharge
Facial Swelling
Red swollen gums
Loose teeth
Listless and just not acting right