Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth

Brushing dog and cat teeth helps their health immensely! Brushing away debris and massaging (gently) their gums really makes a huge difference in their dental health, keeping their teeth clean and preventing or stalling bigger problems that can affect more than their mouth. Pets can have dental issues as early as two years old, so it's never too early to start brushing. 

Most canine and feline tooth paste are meat flavored and use enzymes to help do the work. Human toothpaste should not be swallowed by person or pet, but animal toothpastes taste good and are designed to be licked up--by pets, of course. 

To get started, get an appropriate toothpaste and brush and let your four-legged friend simply enjoy licking the toothpaste. After a few good sessions, start to work up to simple swipes to rub the toothpaste onto the teeth. For more help, see Dr. Blackwood and Titus demonstrate brushing! (No video cuts, this demonstration is a real single session.)

When is a Dental Cleaning Needed?

If pets consistently pickup treats and then drop them, it may be because chewing is painful. If a dog or cat seems to be eating less, or less interested in food, it could be the same. Their teeth may be bothering them. 

While bad breath and visible cracks indicate dental problems, infection is often below the gum line. This is one reason a thorough exam under anesthesia is necessary: pets can't tell us which tooth hurts. 

If you have any concerns, ask at your wellness exam or schedule an appointment. We always check teeth, and are happy to demonstrate brushing with your pets.

Ultimately, most pets will need a cleaning in their lives. A preventative cleaning is better than needing to extract teeth due to infection or painful damage. However, regular brushing helps prevent disease and prolongs the need for a cleaning.