Learn More About Veterinary Dentistry and How to Keep Your Pet’s Smile Healthy and Clean!

Just about everyone knows what to do to keep humans’ teeth healthy: brush twice a day, floss once a day, and visit the dentist every six months or so for a cleaning and checkup. But did you know that your pet requires similar dental care to keep their teeth clean and healthy?

Your pet’s oral health is as important to them as your oral health is to you - and just like with you, a little bit of preventative care can go a long way. To help you keep your pet smiling, we’ve assembled a list of tips and tricks. Consider this your crash course in veterinary dentistry!

• Pets need to have their teeth brushed daily - just like humans! : Most veterinarians recommend that pets have their teeth brushed once a day. There are many different tools you can use, like a cotton swab or a soft-bristled toothbrush made for pets. The trick is to get them used to the treatment as early as possible. Starting when your pet is a puppy or a kitten is best, but if you adopt an animal as an adult, you can always start a good brushing routine when you bring them home.
• Don’t use human toothpaste for your pets: It’s very important to use a toothpaste that is specially formulated for pets. Human toothpaste often contains added fluoride, which can cause health problems if too much builds up in the body. This is fine for humans because we know not to swallow toothpaste, but your pet will probably swallow at least some, and over time, they could have unsafe levels of fluoride in their bodies.
• Chew toys and certain treats can be a great benefit to your pet’s oral health: There are certain chew toys and treats that can help you keep your pet’s mouth healthy and clean. Be sure to ask your veterinary dentist for recommendations. However, keep in mind that these toys and treats are no substitute for daily brushing.
• At the same time, avoid giving your pet hard objects to chew on: You should avoid letting your pet chew on things like antlers and bones: the harder the object is to chew, the more likely it is that your pet might fracture a tooth. If you’d have a hard time chewing on an object, your pet probably will too. Keep those objects away from them.