Brush Your Dog’s Teeth Effortlessly by Following A Few Simple Steps

Did you know that according to the reports of the American Veterinary Dental Society, almost 89% of dogs suffer from some kind of dental issue by the time they reach 3 years of age?

That surely is an alarming fact!

If you are a pet parent, you will definitely understand the importance of brushing your dog’s teeth properly.

Most dogs develop periodontal diseases quite early in life that not only hamper their health but also lead to huge veterinarian bills. If brushing your pet’s teeth seems like a terrifying task, let us tell you that it is easier than you think if you can follow a few basic steps.

Regular Brushing

Regularity is quintessential when it comes to brushing your dog’s teeth. If you haven’t started brushing his or her teeth yet, do remember that it is never too late to start. Introduce the idea of brushing to your dog with the help of treats, praise and rewards. Perseverance and patience are the two key factors while brushing your dog’s teeth for the first time.

Getting the Right Toothbrush

This is the first and the most important step to be followed while brushing your dog’s teeth. Selecting the right canine toothbrush could be tricky. While canine toothbrushes are similar to the human versions, the former ones are softer as well as smaller. Using a finger toothbrush is a good option to reach the areas that are difficult to clean with a regular brush. If you cannot find a decent finger toothbrush, you can also use a washcloth and gauze to clean the teeth.

Could My Dog Use My Toothpaste?

Certainly not! This is a common question that veterinarians and pet health experts are often asked because what harm could human toothpaste possibly do? The answer lies in the fact that human toothpaste contains a lot of harmful chemicals like xylitol, fluoride and sodium lauryl sulphate that could prove to be toxic for if your canines ingest it. Humans can spit out toothpaste which canines cannot. This is primarily the reason behind having a different kind of toothpaste for canines.

Canine toothpaste is also different from human toothpaste because of its non-foaming nature. It contains safe ingredients like silica and baking soda that can scrub clean the debris on your pup’s teeth and are absolutely safe at the same time. These toothpastes also contain enzymes like lactoperoxidase and glucose oxidase that help get rid of oral bacteria.

Bacteria often thrive in your canine’s mouth and form plaque and eventually lead to tartar. This could also lead to situations like decaying of teeth and gingivitis. When the toothpaste gets rid of the bacteria then a whole range of dental issues can be effectively prevented while also keeping the insides of your pet’s mouth fresh.

Yet another important thing to consider is the flavour of the toothpaste. Your dog will absolutely detest the whole idea of brushing if the paste does not taste pleasant. There is a wide range of flavours available when it comes to dog toothpaste. Try to avoid pastes that contain baking soda as their primary ingredient because they may seem too salty.

All in all, regular dental hygiene along with regular grooming is of paramount importance for a canine.

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PET DENTISTRY

Pets need dental care just like their owners.  Just imagine if you never brushed your teeth.  What would your mouth be like?  

What happens when I bring my pet in for a professional dental cleaning?

You are greeted at the front, where you will need to fill out some paper work and your pet gets weighed.  Your pet will receive a health exam.  If you approved pre-anesthetic blood testing, we run the blood work at this time as well.  At this time, your pet receives an injection of some medication that will make your pet sleepy.

Once your pet is sedated, we place an IV catheter so they can receive fluids throughout the procedure which helps support blood pressure and their kidneys through the anesthesia.  We also put in an endotracheal tube that protects their airway while we are working in their mouth, gives them oxygen and a gas that keeps them sleeping.

We then examine the mouth looking for broken teeth, lesions, pockets in the gingiva and any other potential problems.  The teeth are then cleaned using hand scalers and an ultrasonic scaler.  We have a digital dental xray that allows us to quickly take pictures of the teeth to look for underlying problems, just like at your dentist!

      

If we find problems with a tooth, and the tooth needs to be removed, we "freeze" the nerves, and start dental surgery by making a gingival flap, removing the tooth and stitching the gingival flap closed.  For people, this would mean a second appointment, but for our patients we prefer to do everything at once to reduce the number of times our patients are put under anesthesia.  

A new procedure we are now trained to perform is applying dental sealant.  We can apply this to teeth where the enamel has very recently been chipped away and the pulp has not been exposed.  This seals up the tooth, decreasing the chance of the tooth getting abscessed and decreasing the pain associated with that tooth.

Remember, pets can not tell you what hurts.  Teeth can be chronically painful and can make your pet miserable.  We have seen "grumpy" cats where after they have had a painful tooth removed, they have become the nicest cats.  They may seem to eat perfectly normal and still have painful teeth in their mouth and they don't always have lots of visible tartar to tell you there is a problem.  Only a good dental exam will reveal those issues and usually that requires sedation to complete.

Source: http://www.dauphinvetclinic.com/pet-dentistry.pml

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PET DENTAL CARE: 9 TIPS FOR HEALTHY TEETH

We make taking care of your pet's teeth easy with 9 expert dos and don'ts.

Should you brush your cat's teeth? Will crunchy kibble keep your dog's teeth clean and plaque-free? When it comes to pet dental care, many Canadians remain in the dark. Unfortunately, our ignorance may cause undue dental pain and discomfort to our companion animals. One recent study found that up to 80 percent of pet dogs and 70 percent of pet cats in North America show signs of dental disease by age three.

Don't let dental pain put the bite on your pet. Here are the top nine dos and don'ts for protecting Fido and Fifi's teeth.
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1. Don't presume your pet will inform you his teeth hurt. Some people think the key indicator of tooth pain is when their pet stops eating. "Their natural instinct to eat for survival is very strong, so pets will often continue to eat despite intense oral pain," says Dr. Doug Roberts, a Kentville, N.S., veterinarian and President of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. It's better to be pro-active and schedule annual vet checkups, during which the vet can examine your pet's teeth and gums.

2. Do brush your pet's teeth. We know: not fun. But there are ways to ease into this daily care regimen. Start young, if possible, and use plenty of positive reinforcement. "We can also train our older pet to accept brushing of their teeth if we introduce it gradually, gently, and again with lots of positive reinforcement," says Dr. Roberts. Ask your vet to show you how to get the job done.


3. Don't think pet dental care is a luxury. Oral care products for cats and dogs are now widely available – and inexpensive to boot. You can find brushes and other cleaning devices, plus feline and canine toothpaste at your vet's office, pet boutiques and at pet care chains, like Pet Valu, all for under $10.

4. Do feed tooth-friendly foods. Crunchy food – particularly special "dental diet" kibble formula – is better for your pet's teeth than canned food, which may promote plaque and tartar buildup. (However, some pets require a canned-food diet for medical reasons. If this is the case for your cat or dog, stick with the vet-recommended diet.) Remember, crunchy food is just part of the healthy-mouth equation, it won't keep plaque and tartar at bay on its own.

5. Don't give your pet candy, ever! Pets should never get candy of any kind. Like chocolate, sorbitol-sweetened candy is toxic to dogs. (And regular candy is as bad for Rex’s teeth as yours!) Even "good" treats from the vet clinic should comprise no more than 10 percent of your pet's diet.

6. Do trade tooth-damaging toys for tooth-protecting ones. Nylon tennis balls can erode the crowns of teeth, so trade them for rubber road hockey balls or Kong toys instead.

7. Do approach certain dental-care treats with caution. "Caution has to be used when offering bones or rawhide to your dogs. Though they may be helpful at keeping the teeth cleaner, they may also cause harm by causing tooth fractures and premature erosion. Bones can also be swallowed and cause gastrointestinal injury or obstruction. And rawhide can result in choking," says Dr. Roberts.

Discuss these issues with your vet. If you choose to give your dog bones or rawhide, talk with your vet about frequency and correct sizing. You may want to limit these treats to when you're going be with your pet, not when you're heading out the door.

8. Don't skip vet exams. "During annual veterinary exams, your pet's teeth are examined and recommendations will be made regarding its dental health and needs," says Dr. Roberts. In some cases, follow-up care may be necessary.

"Many pets will periodically require professional scaling and examination of their teeth under general anesthesia. Simple hand scaling of the large pieces of tartar while the patient is awake is grossly inadequate," says Dr. Roberts.

9. Do call your vet if something seems "off." Bad breath, excessive drooling, inflammation, or visibly damaged or missing teeth usually indicates a trip to the vet is necessary – even if Rex is full of beans or Lola’s cleaning her plate. "Our pets are often very clever at masking dental pain, and their owners often assume that if they're still eating, then they must not be experiencing any discomfort," says Dr. Roberts. Remember that this is not always the case. (But if your pet isn’t eating, consider that a red flag.)

When in doubt, call your vet to see if you need to bring your pet in for a visit. Better safe than sorry.

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Source: http://www.canadianliving.com/life-and-relationships/pets/article/pet-dental-care-9-tips-for-healthy-teeth

Do I Need to Brush My Dog's Teeth?

Yes! Home dental care is one of the best ways to help keep your dog's teeth and gums healthy. Start as early as possible in your canine friend's life so he or she will become accustomed to the brushing process.

What should I use to brush my dog’s teeth?

Use a moistened dog toothbrush with soft bristles. If you do not have a specially designed pet toothbrush, you can also use a child’s toothbrush, a finger toothbrush, gauze around a finger or a cotton swab.

Do I need to use a special toothpaste to brush my dog’s teeth?

Pet toothpaste, often flavored like poultry, malt and other dog-friendly varieties, is your best option. Never use human toothpaste, baking soda or salt. While safe for you, these cleaning agents can be harmful to your dog if swallowed.

At-home teeth cleaning tips

Keep the following tips in mind to make the process easier for you and more comfortable for your dog. You can also watch our at-home dental care video to see the process in action.

• Use a specially designed dog toothbrush or a recommended alternative.
• Never use human toothpaste. Instead, use pet-safe toothpaste with a flavor favorable to your dog’s taste buds.
• Give your dog a small sample of the toothpaste to introduce the taste.
• Lift the lip to expose the outside surfaces of your dog’s gums and teeth.
• Brush with gentle motions to clean the teeth and gums, as you would your own.
• Clean the outside (cheek-facing) surfaces, as most pets will not allow you to brush the inside surface of the teeth.
• Be sure to reach the back upper molars and canines, as these teeth tend to quickly build up tartar.
• Reward your dog with play, petting or a favorite activity to positively reinforce the brushing process.

How often should I brush my dog’s teeth at home?

Your dog's teeth should be brushed as often as possible, ideally every day. There are numerous dental care products, pastes, solutions, brushes, chew toys and dental diets that help you provide your dog with the home dental care he deserves. Let your local Banfield veterinarian or pet care professional help you choose the best products for your pet.

How often should I have my dog’s teeth professionally cleaned?

Even with a diligent at-home dental care routine, adult dogs should have their teeth professionally cleaned at least once per year. These cleanings allow us to assess your dog’s overall oral health and thoroughly prevent against tartar buildup, gingivitis or gum disease  and other conditions that can lead to life-threatening illnesses such as organ failure and heart disease if left untreated.

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Source: https://www.banfield.com/pet-healthcare/additional-resources/article-library/dental/do-i-need-to-brush-my-dog-s-teeth?BanfieldBuildReleaseTag=20171005