Pet dental problems are extremely widespread, with dental disease affecting over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats by the time they’re three-years-old.
For the Pet Loyalist on the other end of the toothbrush (or dental chew), keeping those teeth clean can feel like a lot. First of all, there’s persuading your pet to actually let you brush their teeth. Then you have to schedule when to brush. You might be asking yourself which dental chews make any difference. Or wondering when you need to get your pet’s teeth checked by the vet.
We’ve put together a quick guide to keeping your pets on the road to good oral health:
How often do I need to brush my pet’s teeth?
In an ideal world, the gold standard is every single day. It only takes 24 hours for plaque to form, and another 48-72 hours for that plaque to become tartar. Tartar is a hardened substance that can only be removed with professional cleaning.
Really? Every single day?
Despite your best intentions, life can get in the way and it’s understandable that you might miss a few days. But it’s worth knowing that if you skip too many of those essential toothbrush sessions, your pet’s likely to develop gingivitis (red, swollen gums) – which turns into periodontal disease (a bacterial infection that damages gum and bone).
That sounds bad.
Most people know all about stinky dog or cat breath, but periodontal disease is more than that. It can cause tooth loss, abscesses, oral cancer, and even affect your pet far beyond the mouth by sending bad bacteria into their blood stream, causing inflammation.
You’ve convinced me. What do I need to start brushing?
Three things: a toothbrush, some toothpaste and a bit of dedication. For the toothbrush, buy something soft-bristled (a baby toothbrush even does the trick) or a finger brush. If your pet is new to the world of brushing, you could start out by wrapping some gauze around your finger instead.
When it comes to toothpaste, make sure you buy a pet-specific product, because human toothpaste has fluoride and xylitol and both are toxic to cats and dogs.
My pet isn’t loving this new toothbrushing regime. How do I make it better for them?
If you can, introduce teeth cleaning from puppy or kitten stage. It depends on how wiggly your pet is, but it can take days to weeks to work up to that everyday brushing routine. The most important thing is that they feel comfortable and not scared, so start with desensitization.
How does desensitization work?
First of all, let your pet lick toothpaste from your finger so it feels more positive. Then, slowly get them used to you touching their muzzle and gently lifting their lips (at this point, you might have to bear with some side eye), and then reward them with food or praise. Once they feel ok with that, you can start to introduce the brush. Begin by touching a single tooth and then rewarding, and build up the number of teeth as your pet gets used to the idea.
Is there a technique to brushing?
The best place to start is the teeth under the cheek, because these are the places that accumulate the most plaque. And remember to use gentle, circular motions along the gum line rather than scrubbing their teeth. You might think more pressure is going to help, but in the long run, precision and consistency will make more difference.
How long should I be brushing for?
30-60 seconds is enough to have meaningful impact. For the perfectionist Pet Loyalists reading this, the aim is to keep things regular and stress-free each time, rather than precisely cleaning every single tooth each night.
There’s a lot of dental chews on offer. How do I know which ones are good?
Picking the right chew means really inspecting the product itself as well as the label. Dental chews that have the VOHC seal have been clinically tested and proven effective, for example. It’s important to check how hard the chew is, to reduce the chance of it fracturing your pet’s teeth. The test is to use your fingernail: if you can make an indentation, that means the chew is soft enough.
Is there anything else I can do?
Supplements and functional treats can add extra support for your pet’s oral health. WellJoy’s Dental+ Treats for Cats and for Dogs are formulated with Sodium Hexametaphosphate to help reduce tartar buildup. And the treats don’t just focus on your pet’s teeth – they’re powered by our GutBoost™ biotic blend, which supports the microbiome so that the dental-focused ingredients work at their best. Research continues to highlight the strong connection between gut health and oral health.
How often should the vet look at my pet’s teeth?
A dental assessment should be part of every annual or biannual wellness exam. Your vet will evaluate your pet’s whole mouth and let you know if it’s time for a professional cleaning. However, book a vet appointment if you notice: bleeding gums, building, drooling, pawing at the mouth, chewing on one side, facial swelling or weight loss. All of these can suggest your pet’s mouth is uncomfortable.
What happens at a professional teeth cleaning?
Your vet will safely clean below the gum line, which is where periodontal disease starts. They’re also able to take dental x-rays to identify any tooth root infections, bone loss or other issues that can’t be seen just by looking in your pet’s mouth. And by the way, small-breed dogs, dogs with squished faces and cats might need more frequent cleaning.
We’ve already shared how taking care of your pet’s gut can have a ripple effect on their wellbeing - making life happier for them as well as their Pet Loyalist. Oral health is similar, and it only takes a few minutes each night to have an big impact on their mouth-to-tail health. So, toothbrushes at the ready…
We’re proud to say that all of WellJoy’s content is fact-checked and verified by a Pet Loyalist team, including a veterinarian trained in companion animal nutrition and a PhD board-certified companion animal nutritionist.