How to Implement a Dental Care Plan That Will Prevent Disease, Increase Comfort, and Lengthen Your Pet’s Lifespan

The last point may surprise you!

February is Pet Dental Health Month — a time to think about something you probably don’t know too much about.

Dental health is one of the most important (and most overlooked) aspects of pet care. In my current practice, every single patient that I examine over the age of 3 has some degree of dental disease. Read that again carefully.

Every. Single. Patient.

Historically, veterinary dental care has been very reactive. None of us brushed our pet’s teeth growing up. Perhaps we noticed some stinky breath but we brushed it off until we really couldn’t anymore — until our pet was obviously struggling and the teeth needed to be pulled, abscesses opened, fistulas closed, and any further damage repaired.

Sorry, but this just isn’t going to cut it anymore. It’s time to get proactive.

Dental disease is a detriment to your pet’s quality of life and has been linked with a plethora of other chronic disease processes (see my article on the consequences of dental disease). And on average, pets that receive adequate dental care live 2-5 years longer than those that don’t. While professional dental cleanings are important for your pet (just as they are for you), they cannot be our only means of maintaining our pets’ dental health.

We’ve got our own work to do between those cleanings.

If you maintain a consistent daily oral health regimen, we can reduce the need for cleanings under anesthesia and potentially avoid them altogether, all while supporting a longer, healthier, happier life for your pet.

Here are some important tips for managing your pet’s dental health at home.

Brush their teeth EVERY DAY with a veterinary toothpaste

Just because dogs and cats don’t get cavities doesn’t mean that they don’t need their teeth brushed.

This is the single most important thing you can do to maintain your pet’s dental health and prevent disease. You should brush your pet’s teeth daily with an enzymatic veterinary-approved toothpaste. As your pet will swallow the majority of the toothpaste, using a veterinary product without fluoride or xylitol is extremely important.

The enzymatic properties will help to breakdown plaque and biofilm, preventing buildup and disease.

I’m happy with whichever toothbrush you choose. The best pet toothbrush is whichever one you will use.

There are a variety of different pet toothbrushes on the market — some go over your finger and some have a long handle to allow you to reach the back of the mouth. I personally like the one that has a large bed of bristles on one end and a small bed on the other, because the small bed allows me to reach into the tiny deep grooves of my dog’s teeth. But I’m happy with whichever toothbrush you choose. The best pet toothbrush is simply whichever one you will use.

Some pets are less compliant than others and you may struggle to brush your pet’s teeth thoroughly.

Cats that were adopted as adults and never trained for oral care can be particularly difficult. Just do the best you can. Simply getting the enzymatic toothpaste in their mouth and onto their teeth can be helpful.

If you’ve never brushed your pet’s teeth before, going from 0 to 100% will be a challenge.

The best way to build a habit is to tack it onto something you already do habitually each day. If you brush your teeth in the evening before bed, just bring your pet into the bathroom with you and do theirs at the same time. It only takes a few seconds, and it will go a long way!

Oral rinses, sprays, wipes, and gels

If despite training and positive reinforcement your pet still will not allow you to brush, we have a few tools left in our arsenal.

Similar to brushing, these products work best when used daily. Ask your vet which product is best for your pet.

Food and water additives

Certain products can also be sprinkled over the food or added to the water to reduce dental tartar and disease.

As with brushing and other products, these work best when used daily. There are many products today that are marketed for dental care, but not all are effective. Best to check with your vet before purchasing any of these products.

Dental chews

Certain chew-treats such as Dentastix have been scientifically proven to reduce dental tartar and plaque buildup through the act of chewing.

Some chews also have a special tartar-fighting ingredient. If you’ve read any of my previous articles you know that I’m not a huge fan of treats, but this is one treat I give my dog every day.

(Rawhide chews may also be helpful, but these aren’t great for all pets. Check with your vet before you offer these.)

Prescription dental diets

Certain diets have also been shown to reduce dental disease through a special design of the kibble.

Some also have ingredients that reduce plaque and tartar buildup. I like these especially for cats as well as small and toy-breed dogs who are especially susceptible to dental disease.

Avoid bones, deer antlers, or other hard chews

Your pet may love it when you bring home scraps from the butcher or throw them an antler, but you should be wary of this.

Bones and antlers are extremely firm and can break or fracture your pet’s teeth. When this happens, they’ll need to be put under anesthesia to either have the tooth capped, a root canal performed, or have the tooth pulled altogether. Trust me, it just isn’t worth it.

No tennis balls (sorry, Luca)

Don’t tell my dog I said this, but tennis balls are also off the table.

The rough and wirey material on the outside of a tennis ball acts like sandpaper on your dog’s teeth, wearing them down over time. As the tooth becomes thinner and abnormally shaped (literally curved to the shape of a ball), it becomes weaker and more prone to fracture. Rubber balls such as the ones made by ChuckIt are a safer alternative that most dogs tend to love.

If after reading this you’re thinking, “Oh my god — I never brush my pet’s teeth! I’m the worst parent ever!” You’re not. Most people have no idea how to properly care for their pet’s teeth.

But now that you know — shall we get started?

When it comes to spending time with the ones we love, two years is a lot of extra time.

Dr. Sami

If you’re looking for recommendations on specific products, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite pet dental health products. You should always speak with a veterinarian before using a new product on your pet.