Instead of reading you could watch our instructional video which covers all of the information below: AFVC Pet Oral Health and How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth
Before beginning, your pet should have a physical exam from your veterinarian. They will be the best resource to ensure the mouth is healthy for toothbrushing. Findings such as tooth fractures, gingivitis, or diseased teeth could be a source of pain. We do not want to cause discomfort while we're trying to brush their teeth because our goal is for them to enjoy it, not dislike it. If they don't enjoy the experience of tooth brushing, it will make your job difficult. They will not readily tolerate it and ultimately, we will fail at our goal, which is to work towards a healthy, pain-free mouth for our pets.
To start, begin training to condition your pet. We want them to be comfortable and accept it. I like to start by having a lot of favorite treats; something they get only when they are having their teeth brushed. Touch their mouth and wrinkle their lip. (Continuously give that favorite treat after you do it!) If they don't shy away with that, we can progress to the next part which would be touching the teeth and putting your fingers in the mouth. (Keep those treats coming!) Keep it up with the physical touch, followed by treats until your dog wants you to continue to get that delicious reward. Continue advancing, each time, taking it one step further and graduating to introducing the toothbrush to touch a canine tooth.
There are a lot of different types of toothbrushes. My favorite is the kind we get when we go to the dentist. They are soft bristled, which is what we want. Being most pets have some form of periodontal disease, such as gingivitis (and gingivitis is usually the first visible sign) it is a painful condition. Sometimes pet specific toothbrushes are too firm, so when gingivitis is present and when the brush is applied to the gumline, it could hurt. If there's pain, they're going to shy away and have a negative association with the toothbrush. A human-grade, extra-soft pediatric toothbrush is what I love to use.
The “over the finger” plastic brushes are ok for training your dog to accept having their teeth brushed, BUT these plastic bristles are rigid, and they won’t address the area we want to target when we're brushing the teeth.
Our target area to brush is a space between the teeth and the gums called the gingival sulcus. In a normal dog, it's roughly about three millimeters of space. When plaque forms on the teeth and goes under the gum line, the gingival tissue becomes inflamed and this continues to progress to advancing disease. As we brush their teeth, aim to brush the space (the gingival sulcus) where the tooth meets the gum, to tackle the problem directly at the source. To do this, angle the bristles 45 degrees to the gumline. (yes, brush the teeth and the gums!) This ensures the bristles go underneath into that gingival sulcus space, with that soft bristled, human-grade toothbrush. When this technique is done properly, this will remove subgingival plaque.
The location you choose can be important. If your pet is small, try putting them on your lap or secured along your side while sitting on a couch. An elevated surface like a counter or table top also works, but use a non-slip surface. We want to make them feel secure and comfortable. For larger dogs, the floor works perfectly.
At this point, your pet should already be comfortable with you lifting the lip and touching the mouth. Hold the toothbrush like holding a pencil with your dominant hand. With your non-dominant hand, make a “C” shape with your fingers to be placed over the muzzle. Use your fingers to lift the lip, allowing the toothbrush to tuck underneath it. Keep the mouth closed. Rotate the toothbrush 45 degrees upward, to brush the gumline on the upper jaw. Remember, start small for success. You may only be able to brush one or two teeth in the beginning. (Keep giving those high-value treats!) The more your pet begins to accept it, the more you can progress to brushing more teeth.
Once we complete the first side, keep your hand over the muzzle, then lift the lip on the opposite side of the mouth with your thumb and tuck the brush into that cheek pocket. As you are brushing, do not apply firm pressure with the toothbrush. Maintain just very light contact. Think like you're polishing an eggshell; we are just clearing away the plaque that's laying on the surface of the teeth. At this point, do not worry about opening the mouth to brush the inside surface of the teeth. This surface usually does not accumulate plaque. The movement of the tongue provides enough abrasiveness that it cleans the inside surface. Remember to keep the mouth closed when brushing. Not only is opening the mouth unnecessary for brushing, but it also causes unnecessary stress to them.
Lift the lip
Brush the top teeth at a 45-degree angle to the gumline. If you are brushing the bottom (worry about this after you mastered brushing the top) angle the toothbrush down towards the gumline at a 45-degree angle.
Keep it short and a positive experience!
As far as toothpaste, there are many to choose from. The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) has labeled some great home care products. These products have gone through studies in veterinary dentistry proven to work in reducing plaque. However, they're not always readily available on the shelves in stores, as far as toothpastes.
Whatever toothpaste you choose, do not use human products because those contain ingredients that are not safe for dogs and cats. I usually recommend not using toothpaste when starting out. A little bit of water on the bristles does the trick, as it is not the toothpaste that is important when it comes to brushing the teeth, it is the motion of the toothbrush hitting the target areas with proper technique.
Also, remember to change out your pet’s toothbrush regularly- as often as you would change out your own! Aim for daily brushing. Brushing less frequently than three times a week will not be beneficial, so make it a part of your daily routine with your pet.
Written by Wendi Rensman CVT, VTS
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