Brush those teeth!

It's dental health month so of course we need to talk about teeth. Yes, your pet's teeth. They need to be examined and brushed just like our teeth do. Regular oral hygiene can add as many as 2 years to your pet's life. It is actually a nice way to bond with your pet. So how exactly do you brush your pet's teeth?

Here are step by step instructions:

1. Select an appropriate time
Find a quiet, convenient time when you and your pet are both relaxed.

2. Acquaint your pet with the process

For the first few sessions, don’t even use a toothbrush. Hold your pet the same as when you are cuddling her. Gently stroke the outside of her cheeks with your finger. After she becomes comfortable with that, place a dab of toothpaste on a washcloth wrapped around your finger and use it like a toothbrush on the pet’s teeth. Wipe all the teeth with strokes from the gum line to the tip of the tooth. Do this for one to two weeks until your pet is familiar with having their gums and teeth rubbed. We usually suggest starting with Enzadent poultry flavored toothpaste because pets like the taste.

3. Introduce the toothbrush

Place a small amount of toothpaste on a soft bristled toothbrush. Never use human toothpaste as it may irritate your pet’s stomach. The bristles should be held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and be moved in an oval motion. Brush one or two teeth and the adjoining gum line. The purpose of this step is to get your pet accustomed to the feel of the brush.

4. Begin Brushing
Over the next several days, gradually increase the number of teeth brushed. It is important to eventually brush near the rear teeth where plaque and tartar have a greater tendency to accumulate. Go slowly and gently. Stop brushing before your pet begins to fuss. If she learns to dislike the procedure and finds out that more fussing makes you stop quicker, then brushing is going to get harder, not easier. Build up to about 30 seconds per side. Pets don’t get much tartar on the inside surfaces of their teeth, so you only need to worry about the outside surfaces. Be sure to brush the big teeth way in the back.

5. Make tooth brushing pleasurable

Proceed slowly and gently. Stop each session while it is still fun and lavishly praise your pet afterwards. She will soon start looking forward to tooth brushing and it will become a pleasant activity for both of you.