All information courtesy of Dr Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC
1. Brush for 1 minute, once a week
That’s enough to fight plaque buildup and help prevent gingivitis. Using a regular toothbrush is best, but if it’s too hard to maneuver in your pet’s mouth, you can wrap a small
piece of pantyhose or cotton gauze pad around your finger instead; for toothpaste, add a dab of a chicken or liver-flavored varieties (available at a pet store or at your vet). To calm a fidgety pet, massage his face and cheeks first, then brush for 10 or 15 seconds, working up to a minute gradually. So you don’t forget, work the brushing sessions into your regular weekly routine—pick the same day and time (Sunday morning, for example) and stick to it. If you spot brown or yellow tartar, set up a professional cleaning.
2. Know what a healthy mouth looks like
Regularly examining your pet’s teeth and gums makes it easier to spot any developing abnormalities. After the weekly brushing, lift her cheek flaps and take a closer look. What’s normal: pink gums, white teeth, and decent breath. What’s not: redness near the gum line, bleeding after brushing, discoloration, or irregular growths or masses.
3. Get teeth-friendly treats
To keep her teeth clean between brushing , try a pet-friendly treat designed to help scrape off tartar. Rope chews, rawhides, or even re-formulated Greenies
are all good choices; water additives and mouth sprays, on the other hand, aren’t all that they’re chalked up to be. While these may reduce plaque and tartar buildup, they don’t scrape away bacteria the way brushing or dental treats can and often don’t taste good – leaving a metallic taste in your pet’s mouth and a pet that may not be drinking enough.
Find more information at www.petdental.com
The Jack Barklaus Foundation - Pet Blog 