Establishing routine preventive dental care through the veterinarian is important, but supporting this with regular oral care for your pet is essential to continuing its good health! Here are some at-home dental tips that may help to keep your pet’s mouth healthy in between visits to the veterinarian.

Tip #1.  Changes in Behavior

Watch for the following observable changes in behavior as they often point to a dental problem. If observed, the signs indicate that the dog needs to be seen by the veterinarian.

• Loss of appetite
• Appearance of a good appetite, but reluctance to eat
• Eating on only one side of the mouth
• Excessive drooling
• Gulping food without chewing
• Food dropping out of mouth while eating.

Tip #2. Breath

Dogs don’t always have lovely breath, but chronic halitosis is one of the most common signs of severe oral/dental problems, including:

• Periodontal disease:
• Gum disease caused by plaque
• Results in:
• Gum infections
• Tooth loss
• Systemic infections
• Oral masses
• Cancerous growths
• Benign growths
• Gingival hyperplasia
• Condition caused when the gums overgrow
• Observed as bumps and deep crevices.

Tip #3. Gums and Teeth

• Once a week, gently pull back your dog’s lips and look at its gums and teeth or sneak a peek when your cat or dog bares its teeth for any reason.
• Gums should be pink
• Gums should not be white or red
• Teeth should be white
• Teeth should not show any discoloration or have any tartar buildup.

Tip #4. Brushing

Cleaning your pet’s teeth on a regular basis will help to prevent the problems caused by bacteria and plaque build-up. Follow these steps:

• Talk to your veterinarian to gather information and ask them to:
• Recommend a toothbrush that is appropriate for your type and size of pet
• Select a toothpaste that will entice your pet and make them look forward to having their teeth brushed
• Provide a demonstration of the steps involved in brushing your pet’s teeth.

The following steps will teach your pet to enjoy their brushing routine:

• Begin by helping the dog get comfortable with the brushing motions:
• Over a few weeks, daily massage their lips with your finger moving in a circular motion
• Once the lips have been massaged, move to the teeth and gums
• Once the animal is comfortable, place a small amount of toothpaste on the animal’s lips to introduce them to the taste
• Using the toothbrush, massage the animal’s gums
• Apply toothpaste to the toothbrush or directly on the teeth and then gently brush the teeth using the following technique:
• At a 45-degree angle to the teeth, gently move the toothbrush in small, circular motions
• Clean one area at a time
• Since the teeth that touch the cheek have the most tartar, using a downward motion of the toothbrush will help to loosen and remove this tartar.

Tip #5. Chewing

The right type of chewing toy is good for the teeth of dogs. Not only does chewing massage the gums and clean the teeth, but it also provides a safe way to satisfy its desire to gnaw on something which will help to reduce stress and prevent boredom. Talk to your veterinarian to get their advice on picking out a proper type of chewing item for your pet.

Tip #6. Diet

Discuss with your veterinarian the type of food that your pet eats. Dry kibble helps to slow down the formation of plaque and tartar. An animal fed mostly canned food may benefit from being supplemented with hard biscuits to help remove plaque and tartar.
Providing additional attention to the daily at-home care of a pet may help to further improve its chances for better oral and dental health.

Covetrus offers dental products for at-home and practice use. For further information on available veterinary dental products, please contact your Covetrus representative at: 855.724.3461.

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