Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic

Here are a few helpful hints to get you started. To get your pet to let you work with their mouth, start slowly. Run your finger along their teeth. If the pet fusses, play with them, try again and praise them as you work. If the pet associates the mouth being handled with something they enjoy doing, chances are that further advances in your home care methods can be made. Make it fun. Go slowly. If you make it frightening, painful, or advance too quickly, you'll never be able to treat the pet yourself. Once they have accepted having their mouth worked with, then you can begin the cleaning method that best suits your pet's needs. For cats, applying tuna juice to your finger as you rub can improve the pet's interest.

Preventative Therapy

Preventative home care is important to prolonging the time between needed professional dental visits. Home care together with professional treatment in our office will make a significant difference in your pet's health, happiness and longevity.

Method 1:
Take a small cloth or piece of gauze and wrap it around your finger. Gently run your finger along all teeth. Wipe all the surfaces you can reach, but be careful not to get bitten. You may not be able to wipe the insides of the teeth. The pet's tongue helps to clean this area. It is best to wipe the teeth at least once weekly, or daily if you can.

Method 2:
With a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush all teeth using the same technique you use on your own teeth. There are special toothpastes available at our office that are designed for use on your pet's teeth. We recommend that you not use your own toothpaste, as it is not intended to be swallowed. Do not use baking soda or salt. These items contain too much sodium, which is harmful to your pet.

Chewing on abrasive foods can be helpful (i.e. milk bones) but too many treats can be fattening. Gnawing on rawhide chews and chew toys can be helpful. Never feed real meat bones, which can be crunched up and swallowed. Many times this causes bowel obstructions.