Justine Lee

February rings in “National Pet Dental Health Month,” and while you may think this holiday sounds as Hallmark as Valentine’s Day, it’s a pet necessity. Over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by 3 years of age, and unfortunately only 2% of pet lovers out there actually brush their pet’s teeth daily.  Halitosis, chronic mouth pain, tooth loss, and receding gums aren’t your pet’s only problem with having a foul mouth – dental disease can result in bacteria from the mouth entering the bloodstream, resulting in rare but deadly infections in the heart, kidneys, and liver.  Here, five tips to motivate and make it easier to keep your pet’s mouth more kissable.

Know what’s normal
I’m embarrassed to say that while brushing my own dog’s teeth recently (I used to only brush every few months!), I found a cancerous gum tumor. As a vet, I was dismayed that I had missed this, as it had probably been slowly growing there for weeks. Thankfully, after an aggressive tooth and partial jaw bone removal, my dog was cured. But had I been monitoring my mutt’s mouth more carefully, it could have resulted in a more benign surgery. So, if this can happen to a vet, pay heed. Commit yourself to knowing what’s normal for your pet’s mouth: pink gums, white teeth, and decent breath. Start by lifting up your pet’s cheek flaps so you can inspect the gums and teeth. If you notice any signs of pawing at the face or mouth, a change in eating or chewing habits, halitosis, redness near the gum line, bleeding after brushing, or abnormalities (like tumors or masses), take your pet in for a professional look. More importantly, be consistent. Pick one day and time (for example, Sunday after brunch) to do a full mouth inspection and consistently brush your pet’s teeth. Let’s be realistic – I’m not asking for daily brushing from you… but let’s try for at least weekly!

Know why you need to brush and what to brush with
Keep in mind that your goal of brushing your pet’s teeth isn’t to scrape off that hard yellow, brown, foul tartar – that can only be done under anesthesia by a professional vet cleaning. Brushing prevents plaque build-up, which eventually hardens into tartar. By brushing, you can minimize tartar and plaque which keeps your pet’s gingivitis down. When brushing, pick the right tool. A fancy, electronic toothbrush isn’t necessary. Using a small piece of pantyhose or a 3X3 cotton gauze pad wrapped around your finger is the perfect soft – yet abrasive – texture to scrap away plaque. You can add in a small dab of pet-flavored liver or chicken toothpaste or even dip the toothbrush in beef bouillon to encourage your pet to tolerate this.

Start habits early
If you have a new puppy or kitten, start by training your pet early. Gentle, gradual introductions to teeth brushing is important – after all, it takes a lot to get your pet used to a human sticking some contraption in their mouth all for the sake of dental hygiene. Make brushing time fun – massage your pet’s face, cheeks, and gums and gradually move to short brushing intervals that your pet tolerates. Start with short 10-15 second sessions, and gradually increase the time so you achieve your goal of getting a 1 minute weekly brush in!

Heed these breeds
Certain breeds are more predisposed to severe dental disease – be it genetics, nutrition, or what. Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire terriers, and greyhounds are especially susceptible! Cats with underlying infectious problems (like feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus) are also very predisposed to gum disease.
 
Don’t give up
If your pet just won’t tolerate it, try the weekly “dental friendly” treat instead. Certain types of treats or diets (i.e., Science Diet’s “tartar diet”) are designed to help scrap off tartar – this obviously isn’t as effective as brushing, but it helps. You can try certain dental-friendly rope chews or rawhides, or even those new re-formulated Greenies – just keep in mind that all pets should be supervised while chewing on these! Don’t fall for the hype of water additives or mouth sprays – consult your vet instead about the best product for your pet’s mouth. Find some helpful tips at www.petdental.com.

Biography:
Dr. Justine Lee is a veterinary emergency critical care specialist and the Associate Director of Veterinary Services at Pet Poison Helpline. She is also the author of It’s a Dog’s Life… but It’s Your Carpet and It’s a Cat’s World… You Just Live In It.