Dental Care for Dogs and Cats

If you didn’t clean your teeth regularly would you expect to suffer from dental problems? Of course you would. 80% of cats and dogs over the age of 7 have significant dental disease. Bacteria in the mouth form plaque which hardens to form tartar if not cleaned off. This harbours more bacteria, which causes a bad smell, receding gums and eventually rotten teeth. Not only is dental disease painful, it also can also lead to lots of other health problems as a result of bacteria from teeth entering the blood stream. These include abscesses, kidney disease and heart disease.

Toothbrushing is the best solution: How to brush your dog’s teeth...

1.    First, introduce your pet to toothpaste by applying some to your finger or a toy. Let them lick the toothpaste – they will love the taste. Do this for 3-5 days.

2.    The next step is to place your finger, with the applied toothpaste, into your pet’s mouth and gently massage the teeth and gums. Repeat this until your pet is comfortable with finger brushing, gradually increasing the areas you are massaging.

3.    Try as above using a finger brush (thimble shaped, soft rubber, available to buy in the surgery). It can take 2-3 weeks to master this.

4.    At this stage you should be ready to introduce a toothbrush. Wet the toothbrush with a small amount of water and push the toothpaste well into the bristles. Start with just a few teeth, gradually increasing the number as your pet gets used to it.

5.    Lift the dog’s lips to clean the molars and premolars, but you do not need to hold his mouth open. Use an upward and downward motion to gently clean the teeth, paying attention to where the teeth and gums meet.  Start with the back teeth, gradually making your way to the front.  When you have mastered this technique it should become part of your daily routine, along with the feeds, walks and cuddles! If you have any concerns about this, speak to one of our nurses and she should be able to give you a demonstration of the technique.

Signs of dental disease: Bad breath, Drooling, Pain when eating, Eating less, Weight loss, Not grooming as much (cats), Seeming quiet and withdrawn.

Dental treatment: If you notice any of the above signs in your pet, they may need dental treatment. You can arrange a free nurse appointment to assess the problem. Once tartar has started to build up, scaling under general anaesthetic is needed to remove it. Often teeth need to be removed - for example if there is severe gum disease or if the tooth is damaged. Animal mouths heal very quickly and they are usually eating better than before within 2 or 3 days of treatment, even if they have no teeth left! This is because they are no longer in pain. If you can brush your pet’s teeth every day you may be able to preserve the remaining teeth. If brushing is not possible, teeth will continue to deteriorate and more dental treatment is likely to be needed, often every year or so.

Prevention is better than cure - and considerably cheaper for you and less painful for your cat or dog!