Category: Dental Hygeine

February is Pet Dental Health Month and since my vet was offering a 10% discount on dental services i FINALLY decided to take in my 9 year old Maltese who was in desperate need of having one of her pre molars pulled.  Since I was apprehensive of having her put under anesthesia I had put this procedure off for years. The result was absolutely disgusting fish breath and a tooth that looked like a prehistoric fossil!

Luckily, the procedure went well and they cleaned the other teeth which were all in relatively good condition. The best part is that now my dog’s breath is odor-free!

$500  later, I have now added a new New Year’s Resolution to my list– Brush my dog’s teeth at least three times per week.

Here was my list of reasons for NOT brushing her teeth. If any of these sound familiar, save yourself the $500– and go out and spend $12 on a brush and paste and get brushing!!!

Excuses Excuses

1. “I only give her dry dog food so I don’t need to brush her teeth“: Unfortunately most dry dog foods have high starch content. Sugar and starches combine with the bacteria in the mouth and produce acids. These acids can eat away at the enamel on the tooth in addition to causing plaque build-up.

2. “My dog doesn’t like it”: When I was a kid, I didn’t like brushing my teeth, but it wasn’t a choice. It is part of a healthy lifestyle. If you let your dog make all the decisions in your house, it would be a disaster!

3. “I don’t need to”: I give them bones and chew toys: This is an equivalent approach to only chewing gum for your personal dental hygiene. You won’t find a dentist that recommends that approach! It is a nice addition but can’t do the job alone.

4. “I just put an additive in the water”: This is an equivalent approach to only using a mouth rinse for your own personal hygiene, except not even as good because your dog isn’t gargling and rinsing. Again, a nice addition but not sufficient by itself.

5. “My dog’s mouth is too small for a brush“– Guess what? There are really small brushes out there. And if you can’t find one, use Dental Wipes instead. While not quite as effective as brushing, textured dental wipes still offers the abrasion necessary to keep plaque and tartar at bayy

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Veterinary dentists agree that the best way to prevent periodontal disease in your dog is to clean his teeth at least once daily. It can take a little while for him to become relaxed about having something in his mouth brushing against his teeth and gums.

Teeth Cleaning Products for Dogs

To do the best job of cleaning your dog’s teeth, you need the right products.

1. Dog toothpaste. Don’t use toothpaste meant for people when brushing your dog’s teeth. He can’t spit out the lather, and swallowing it may make him feel off color.  Also, the minty taste may not appeal to him at all. Kissable toothpaste is vanilla flavored and dogs love it. Tea tree oil helps to prevent plaque build up, and kaolin gently polishes the tooth surface.

2. Dog toothbrush. Your dog’s teeth are best cleaned with a toothbrush with a small head. The Kissable brush is designed to clean all three surfaces of his teeth at the same time. Its soft bristles won’t harm his gums, and its unique compact head is easy to maneuver around his mouth, no matter how small.

The Kissable combo contains and all natural paste, as well as two toothbrushes for your dog. One is a soft brush with a small head. The other is a toothbrush that fits over your fingertip, so you can easily clean all corners of his mouth.

3. Instant Fresh Breath Foam. The sweet-tasting minty foam immediately adheres to teeth to gently clean, sanitize and loosen plaque build-up WITHOUT USING A TOOTHBRUSH! This is a great option to use when your dog resists brushing.

Teeth Cleaning Should Be Fun for your Dog

You need to make tooth brushing an enjoyable experience both for you and your dog. Otherwise it will be stressful, and you’ll have a battle on your hands every day. Make dental care part of his daily routine, just like meal time, play time and walk time.

Start off by putting some of your preferred pet toothpaste on your finger and letting your dog sniff it and even lick it off. The next step is to put some on your finger, and rub it on his front teeth and gums. Don’t rush things; some dogs can take a few days or weeks to get used to this new sensation.

At this point, you can introduce your dog to a toothbrush. Put some toothpaste on the brush and let him lick at it, so he becomes familiar with the texture of the brush.  If all goes well, then use the brush to clean the teeth that are easily accessible, that is the front incisors and the upper canines.

When your dog is quite relaxed about having his teeth brushed, then you can start to extend your brushing to include all surfaces of all his teeth.

If your dog really doesn’t enjoy having his teeth cleaned, then just focus on those big back upper molars. They are most likely to accumulate plaque and tartar. Use some Dental Wipes to remove plaque accumulation and freshen their breath.

By spending a few minutes each day brushing your dog’s teeth, you’ll keep his mouth healthier and his breath fresher.

by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Just like in people, dogs can develop dental disease, which can affect the health of their whole body. Over time, plaque accumulates on your dog’s teeth, and if it isn’t removed, it hardens into tartar. This leads to gum irritation and periodontal disease.

There are several options available to you to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums in good health.

1. Veterinary care. No matter what home care products you use, it’s a good idea to have your vet examine your dog’s teeth every year. They will take x-rays to make sure there aren’t any problems under the gum line, and clean and polish his teeth.

2. Toothbrush and toothpaste. Kissable toothbrush and toothpaste are specifically manufactured to be effective at cleaning your dog’s teeth. This toothpaste is pleasant to taste and doesn’t lather, while the toothbrush will clean all three areas of his teeth at once.

3. Herbal Remedies are more potent alternative to toothpaste and no toothbrush is required.  Clean Well Dental Gel will clean the your dog’s teeth while preventing bacterial growth and reducing inflammation in his mouth.  Keep this gel handy to use as a spot treatment on areas of swollen or red gums.  The concentrated herbs in Clean Well Dental Gel coat the gums and teeth to soften plaque and reduce inflammation and damaged tissue.

4. Dental Wipes are handy if your dog really objects to having his teeth brushed. They contain herbs and baking soda to polish his teeth and reduce plaque accumulation. Wrap a Dental Wipe around your finger and wipe it over all the surfaces of his teeth every day.

5. You can purchase water additives to help keep your dog’s teeth and gums in good health. These work in different ways. Some contain enzymes that break down plaque. Others contain antibacterial enzymes to kill the bacteria involved in periodontal disease. They should not be used on their own to care for his teeth; they should only be part of a dental care plan which includes teeth brushing and regular checks by your veterinarian.

6. Dental chews. There are two types of dental chew available for your dog. The first is a hard rubber chew, that physically cleans his teeth while exercising his jaws. The second is beef hide that has been prepared with an enzyme to control bacteria, while its abrasive texture removes plaque before it hardens into tartar.

Raw meaty bones are no longer recommended by veterinary dentists. Bones can lead to fractured teeth and intestinal obstructions, which are painful and serious conditions. To keep your dog safe, leave the bones out of his diet and reach for the toothbrush instead.

The best way to look after your dog’s teeth is with daily brushing and twice yearly visits to the veterinarian. Any dental care regime must be comfortable for your dog and for you. If he doesn’t like his toothbrush, choose one of the other options listed to keep his mouth clean and healthy.

When you take your dog to your vet to have his teeth cleaned, you may be surprised to learn that he may need to undergo a general anesthetic for this procedure. Is this potentially dangerous procedure really necessary?

A general anesthetic may be necessary to allow your veterinarian to thoroughly examine your dog’s gums and teeth.  While it’s easy to detect tartar on the outside of his teeth, it’s harder to see it when it is on the inside surfaces.  Also, periodontal disease, or disease of the gums and support structures of the teeth, occurs under the gum line and is very difficult to visualize.  Your dog isn’t likely to lie still and open his mouth to let your vet look at his teeth, remove any tartar and polish the enamel. On the other hand, is the risk of anesthesia worth the risk?

Reducing the Need for General Anesthesia

General anesthesia and dental care can be expensive especially if your dog needs extensive cleaning and extractions.  How can you avoid that expense, and reduce any risk to your dog’s health while still making sure his teeth and gums get the best possible care?

This part is easy.  If you clean your dog’s teeth regularly, you will prevent the build up of plaque and tartar that leads to periodontal disease.

Ideally, brush his teeth daily, or at the very least, three times a week.  Make sure you clean the front and back surfaces of his teeth, and don’t forget those big molars at the back of his mouth.  Brushing will remove any plaque and food debris before they cause dental disease.  He will have a healthy mouth and fresh breath, and will be less likely to need a general anesthetic for teeth cleaning.

Home Dental Care for Your Dog

There are a range of products that are safe to use for cleaning your dog’s teeth.

Don’t be tempted to brush his teeth with your own toothpaste because he won’t enjoy the lather that is produced which is actually unsafe for dogs.  (Remember, we spit out our toothpaste but dogs can’t spit!)

Instead look for toothpaste made especially for dogs like the Vanilla flavored Kissable toothpaste that contains Tetrasodium & Tetrapotassium Phosphate which remove tartar, while kaolin polishes the teeth and smooths their surface.  Another ingredient is tea tree oil which is a a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent and breath freshener.  Couple the Kissable toothpaste with the unique Kissable toothbrush to effectively clean all surfaces of your dog’s teeth at the same time.  It is designed to fit into any sized mouth and its molded handle makes it easy to hold as you move it around the inside of his mouth.

What if your dog just won’t let you near him with a toothbrush? You can still help to prevent dental disease by using Dental Wipes.  Although they aren’t as effective as a toothbrush and toothpaste, they will still help to remove plaque and control the bacteria responsible for gingivitis. For more alternatives to brushing, click here.

Oh if I must

A full general anesthetic for dental care involves a very carefully balanced drug protocol with intravenous fluids, heating pads, frequent monitoring by trained veterinary technicians and pain relief.  This is the only way that a complete dental exam and teeth clean can be done.  It allows the veterinary dentist to thoroughly explore his mouth without him fidgeting or moving, and without causing him pain.

Even though you clean your dog’s teeth frequently, he will still need regular checkups with his veterinarian.  If you put the time and effort into preventing dental disease at home, this checkup won’t take long and he is less likely to need treatment under anesthesia.

By Audrey Harvey, DVM

Recent estimates have suggested that at least 85% of dogs over four years of age have some degree of canine periodontal disease.

What exactly is periodontal disease? “Perio” means “around” and “dontal” refers to the tooth, so periodontal disease involves the tissues around the tooth.

There are four tissues involved in periodontal disease.  The gingiva or gum, the cementum (a calcified substance that covers the root of a tooth), the periodontal ligament holding the tooth in the socket, and the alveolar bone that supports the tooth.  As well as being extremely painful, untreated periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss.

What Causes Periodontal Disease

This condition starts with the formation of plaque, a clear fluid consisting of mucin, sloughed cells and bacteria.  If this isn’t removed, the mineral salts in your dog’s diet will adhere to the plaque and form hard yellow calculus that develops particularly on those big molars at the back of his mouth.  This calculus inflames the gums, leading to the spread of bacteria under the gum line.  The results is erosion of the support structures and loss of the tooth.

Plaque is very quick to develop, and can start to appear within days of a professional teeth clean and polish.

Diagnosis of Canine Gum Disease

If you enjoy cuddling up to your dog, you’ll be very quick to notice if he has gum or periodontal disease.  The first indication of a problem is bad breath.  You may also notice a change in your dog’s eating habits because of pain.  He may appear willing to take a mouthful of food, but will back off before eating too much.

To fully evaluate the condition of your dog’s teeth and periodontal tissues, a full examination under general anesthesia is done.  This will allow your veterinarian to develop a treatment plan for him.

Treating Periodontal Disease in Your Canine Best Friend

There are several individual steps involved in treating your dog’s periodontal disease.

1. Any obviously loose teeth are carefully removed.

2. Any large pieces of tartar are scraped off.

3. Smaller pieces of tartar close to the gum line are removed with more delicate instruments.

4. A periodontal probe is used to measure the pockets around the teeth and get an idea of the severity of the disease in his mouth.

5. Tartar is then carefully scraped from the roots of the tooth that are below the gum line.

6. The enamel on the teeth is polished to make it smooth.

7. A fluoride treatment is applied to the teeth to protect them.

8. Comprehensive records are kept on what abnormalities have been found on each individual tooth and how it was managed.

Preventing Gum and Periodontal Disease

Ideally, you should start brushing your puppy’s teeth as soon as they emerge from the gum.  Even though those baby teeth won’t last longer than a few months, your dog will become very familiar with having his teeth brushed.

The ideal teeth cleaning product for your dog is the Herbal Dental Kit with Toothbrush.  The Dental Gel is loaded with herbal ingredients to clean his teeth, kill bacteria and freshen his breath.  Bloodroot and Peppermint Oil reduce inflammation and freshen his breath, while Echinacea, Myrrh and Goldenseal kill the bacteria that may lead to gum disease.

This neat little kit contains two types of toothbrush.  One is the regular brush with a handle, which is easy to maneuver around your dog’s mouth.  The other is a fingertip brush that can make it easier to clean the teeth on a less co-operative dog.

Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, can be treated.  Periodontal disease isn’t reversible but it can be controlled.  Professional cleaning plus follow up home care with Dental Gel and a tooth brush will keep your dog’s mouth pain free and in good health.

by Nicola Parry

Dental disease is a very common problem for dogs, and is commonly associated with foods that become trapped in pockets where the gum meets the base of the tooth. Since dogs don’t tend to have their teeth brushed as frequently as we do, entrapped foodstuffs remain for a long time, and collect bacteria along the way. This combination of events leads to infection, and this ultimately causes the gums to soften and recede. And it also produces the bad breath that your dog may share with you! Sadly, if this problem goes ignored and untreated, tooth loss is inevitable.

Five Common Signs Of Tooth Disease

• Bad breath
• Pawing at the mouth
• Excess salivating
• Slow eating and exaggerated chewing
• Reluctance to eat

To Pull, Or Not To Pull?

Contrary to what many people believe, tooth decay is not just a disease of older dogs, but is also extremely common in dogs as young as 2-3 years old. So many owners feel distressed when they learn that their young dog has a tooth that is decayed and crumbling. And they naturally become even more distressed about the prospect of that tooth being removed. The truth is though, that if left untreated, this decay process will progress to inflammation of the pulp, with infection, discoloration, and death of the tooth. And some situations may also progress to cause facial swelling and draining tracks as a result of tooth root infections or abscesses. So extraction of decaying teeth is an important part of your dog’s dental care. Even better than the benefits of dental extractions, however, is the benefit of preventative dental care for your dog!

Four Simple Ways To Guard Against Tooth Decay

• Give him hard foods: Try to mix in hard food if you are feeding a primarily soft diet. Harder kibbles are much better for your dog’s teeth because they gently scrape tartar from the tooth surface.
• Provide hard rubber chewing toys: Chewing on hard toys also has an abrasive action on the teeth, similar to hard kibbles.
• Introduce a regular oral hygiene schedule: Brush his teeth with dog-specific toothpaste. The toothpaste that we use contains soap ingredients that don’t affect us because we rinse out the toothpaste. Your dog, however, will swallow his, so he needs a safer, edible alternative. The KissAble Toothpaste contains natural ingredients to help fight plaque and sweeten your dog’s breath. Brush 2-3 times weekly using the KissAble Toothbrush. Its unique 3-sided design enables brushing of all edges of your dog’s teeth at the same time with firm scrubbing bristles, while its softer bristles massage the gums. If your dog won’t tolerate brushing and you get discouraged, there are other ways to maintain your dog’s teeth. Click here for more options
• Regular dental check ups: Just as we have dental checkups a couple of times a year, so should our dogs. Your veterinarian can to check for tartar buildup and other evidence of decay, and will be able to address any dental problems under anesthetic.

Dental care is just as important for dogs as it is for people. Although it is difficult to provide the same level of oral hygiene for our dogs as we do for ourselves, we can do a great job of preventative care in this area. And certainly the earlier we address and treat dental disease, the better the chances of actually saving the teeth rather than having to remove them. Prevention is certainly better than cure!

If your dog has bad breath, it’s not fun to snuggle up close to him, and it’s even worse when he tries to give you a kiss on the cheek! The problem is, brushing a dog’s teeth is just so darn hard. If I even approach my dog with a toothbrush she freaks out. It takes both my husband and I to hold down this 10 pound fluff ball, and even then she flops around like a fish out of water. Luckilly, there are a whole host of different tools and forms of canine dental products to choose from. So if your dog hates the brush, you can try a gel, spray or wipe. In this article we are going to review some of the dental programs available for your best friend.

How do you get started? Brush Those Canines

The most important part of caring for your dog’s teeth and gums is brushing them twice daily, just as you do your own (OK- if you do it even once a week you’ll be ahead of most). However, human toothpaste isn’t suitable for dogs, and our toothbrushes may be too big, too hard or just too awkward for our canine companions.

1. Toothpaste
The Kissable toothpaste and brush combination is the ideal choice for most dogs. This toothbrush has a unique design and soft bristles which allows you to effectively clean all the surfaces of your dog’s tooth with one fell swoop, while gently massaging his gums. Dogs often don’t like mint, so Kissable toothpaste is vanilla flavored, and quite safe if your dog decides that it tastes good enough to swallow. If you’re looking for an effective and gentle cleanser for your dog’s teeth, this is the product to use. The only downside is that for very small dogs, the brush may be a little too big for the dogs mouth (which is a shame as it’s a really cool three sided brush that cleans the whole tooth in one go).

2. Gel
If your dog already has signs of gum disease, he’ll need something a little more powerful. The Happytails Clean Well Dental Gel is particularly suited to dogs that need an antimicrobial teeth and gum cleanser. Echinacea, Myrrh gum and Goldenseal Root are natural antimicrobials and will help control infection, while the Bloodroot reduces any inflammation in his mouth. The addition of Peppermint Oil will make his breath smell fresh, and ease any pain associated with inflamed gums. This product only contains herbs and does not contain sorbitol as many toothpastes do. Instead it is sweetened with stevia.

What if Your Dog Hates Her Toothbrush?

3. Dental Wipes
Be advised that nothing, no matter what the manufacturer says, works as well as brushing your dogs teeth. The abrasion provided by the brush is critical in ridding the dog’s teeth of plaque and tartar. That being said, doing something is better than doing nothing, which is what most people do if their dog won’t tolerate brushing. But don’t fret, there are some effective remedies.

This is where Dental Wipes come into their own. These soft textured wipes are infused with baking soda and botanicals like aloe and pomegranate. The baking soda gently cleans teeth and provides abrasion, while the aloe and and pomegranate control bacteria and reduce the accumulation of dental plaque. Recent studies have shown that pomegranate is effective in making teeth slippery so plaque doesn’t cling to them.

The dental wipes are perfect if your dog just doesn’t want to have her teeth brushed or if you have a very small dog. This is the only form of dental care my Maltese will tolerate.

In conclusion, yes, keeping your dog’s teeth clean is a major commitment but in the end your dog will live longer (yes, it can add up to 3 years to your dog’s life) and your dog’s kisses will be much more enjoyable. Remember, if your dog hates brushing there are other options. So to start, test some of the different products listed above and see what’s easiest for you and the dog. Then, ideally brush your dog’s teeth everyday for best results. If you don’t make that goal, don’t give up. Doing something is better than doing nothing. So start out at once a week, and build from there. Good Luck!

Caring for your dog’s teeth is as important a part of owning a pet as feeding and bathing him. It’s unfortunately true that a large percentage of dogs have oral health problems by the time they are three years of age. You can reduce the likelihood of your dog becoming one of these statistics by establishing a dental care routine right from when he’s a puppy.

Other statistics show that just by caring for your dog’s teeth, you can add 3-5 years to her life! Isn’t that amazing? Most of us don’t ever brush our dog’s teeth– EVER. But now you know, so you’ll do something to chage that.

The most important part of your dog’s home dental care routine is brushing his teeth. This prevents plaque accumulating on his teeth and gums, and hardening into tartar. Ideally, you should brush his teeth twice daily, just as you do your own. However, life can sometimes get in the way, so if you can manage it once a day, that’s certainly better than not at all. And if you’re like most people once every few days would still be heroic!

It can be hard to work out the best way to hold your dog, and the easiest way to maneuver the toothbrush in his mouth. Here are some suggestions that may help; try them out and see what works best for you.

1. Choose the right toothpaste. Human toothpaste is totally unsuitable for dogs. It is soapy and lathers too much, and it isn’t designed to be swallowed. It also tastes minty which won’t appealto most dogs. KissAble toothpaste is specifically designed for dogs. It doesn’t lather, it tastes good, and it is safe if your dog swallows it.

2. Position your dog in such a way that you can easily get to his teeth. You can try squatting on the floor in front of him and lifting his lips. You may want to place your smaller dog onto a higher surface and stand in front of him. Another option is to sit your dog beside you and wrap your arm around his neck, and then lift his chin up with your hand.

3. Gently lift your dog’s lips and start brushing his teeth in a circular fashion. This doesn’t really have to be any more technical than how you would brush your own teeth. It’s particularly important to brush the areas where his teeth and gums meet. The back teeth are where oral disease usually occurs first so make sure you reach right to the very back of your dog’s mouth every time you brush.

4. Make sure you brush every surface of his teeth. You need to brush the outside, the inside and the biting surface of every tooth. You can make this easier on yourself by using theKissAble toothbrush. Its unique design allows you to clean all surfaces of your dog’s tooth at once. The firm bristles will clean the plaque from his teeth while softer bristles massage his gums. Once you’ve completed the top row of teeth then do the same on the bottom row.

Some dogs will not warm to teeth brushing and the struggle will become so great that you will want to give up. In that case, there are sprays on the market that will help with oral hygeine. While not as good as brushing, at least it’s something. Try a probiotic spray which will keep your dog’s mouth balanced and healthy by reducing plaque-causing bacteria, which can cause bad breath, gum disease, multiple infections and heart disease.

Caring for our dog’s teeth may not be the highlight of our day but try to look on the tooth cleaning routine as an opportunity to not only care for your dog’s teeth, but to give him a cuddle and lots of positive attention.