85% of pets have dental disease by age 3 - read that again.
One of the most common questions I get from pet owners is how to care for their pets teeth at home - and whether they really should be concerned about home dental care. Pets have the worst dental hygiene of all of our family members - they can't brush their own teeth or floss their gums so without proper owner intervention it is no wonder severe dental disease occurs. Left untreated, plaque (bacteria) will develop a deeper infection in the roots which can lead to loss of teeth or even bone infection along the jawlines.
What exactly is going on inside your pet's mouth? In a healthy mouth, teeth are clean and white and gum tissue is not red or inflamed. Teeth and gums are constantly exposed to saliva, food and bacteria however if teeth are brushed regularly plaque and tartar do not develop. Without regular brushing, plaque mineralizes into tartar which blocks oxygen from bathing the tooth surface and changes the bacteria living in the oral cavity. Bacteria from the mouth can spread to other organs such as the liver, kidneys and heart.
So why don't we take better care of our pet's mouths? As often happens....life gets in the way - work, kids, after-school activities, etc etc. and unfortunately our pet's dental health slowly slips to the wayside. While it's important for a professional dental cleaning and evaluation every 6-12 months, it is equally important to continue home dental care. Without any home care, teeth and gums will return back to the state they were prior to the professional cleaning within weeks.
So how do we go about brushing our pet's teeth? First off, human toothpaste should never be used for our pet's dental care. When starting out it's important to introduce the toothbrush without using any toothpaste - this allows the pet to adjust to the brush and the sensation of having their teeth brushed. It's not imperative to clean the inner portion of the teeth because this side is constantly bathed in saliva which helps break down plaque. Wait around 5-7 days after a professional dental cleaning before instituting or returning to a home dental care routine - immediately after a professional cleaning the gums are extremely sensitive and dental care at this time could create negative associations for your pet.
How often should we brush our pet's teeth? As I tell my clients - once a day is fantastic, every other day is terrific, twice a week is wonderful, once a week is great, once a month is better than nothing - so in essence, as often as you can is better than doing nothing at all.
If you have a pet who doesn't appreciate having their teeth brushed, there are several other alternatives including dental wipes, dental water additives and dental chews.
Our pets rely on us for so much - food, water, shelter, proper healthcare and it can seem daunting to add another something to the list BUT taking a few minutes each week or day can help keep your pet happy, healthy and avoid the dreaded doggy breath!