How to Brush Your Dog’s and Cat’s Teeth

1 Overview

Recently our cat lost a tooth; we watch daily. One day the author’s partner asked: dogs have teeth issues? I realized many ignore pet dental health. So this on pet teeth.

First, science: many fur kids show serious dental disease by 3-4, advanced by vet visit.

Puppies and kittens have two sets: baby and adult. Baby teeth erupt at 3-6 weeks. At 3 months, adult teeth erupt, baby fall; first premolars and molars have no baby teeth, erupt directly.

During adult eruption, baby roots absorb and fall, done by about 6 months. During change, a half tooth is fine – don’t worry about roots.

Two big myths

1. Dry food cleans teeth / no brushing needed

Take cats: sharp canines tear meat – born hunters, but teeth can’t grind. Small incisors cut, not grind.

Overall, cat teeth only open/close like scissors, no flat surface; one kibble touches teeth 1-2 times then swallowed – no cleaning friction. Most dry food is high carb, breeding bacteria.

Dogs similar: kibble touches teeth briefly then swallowed, little friction – dry food does NOT clean teeth.

2. No cans/wet food, bad for teeth

Cans/wet are high moisture, fluid; more residue sticks in gaps; unclean, corrodes. But nutritionally, especially for carnivorous cats, many dry foods lack meat; cans become necessary.

In short, dry or wet, eating leaves residue; bacteria grow, form plaque; plaque + saliva calcium = tartar.

Plaque/tartar hold bacteria causing gingivitis, periodontitis – bad breath, drool, bleeding, no eating. If bacteria enter blood via capillaries to the heart, heart disease and bacteremia.

Not alarmist: a one-year-old cat with stomatitis had full extraction – painful for both. Take it seriously; if the author says it matters, it does.

Common teeth problems?

1. Cat bad breath – easy to notice when interacting.

2. Bleeding gums – open the mouth sometimes.

3. Plaque – visibly yellow, unclean.

4. Tartar – plaque retained, saliva minerals turn it yellow-brown cement-hard; tartar is a bacterial bed, loosens teeth, even severe internal organ issues.

5. Periodontal disease – red swollen gums, foul mouth odor, foreign objects; tongue out, more drool; hungry but won’t eat, thinning.

Daily dental care?

1. Diet – puppies/kittens shouldn’t eat softened food too long; by 3-4 months switch fully to hard food for teething.

2. Brushing – weekly, pet toothbrush/paste, wet and brush. Hard; learn online tutorials, practice. The author’s tips: read and practice.

Before, calm the pet to accept touch on mouth (lift lip, finger on teeth). If bite risk, fix that behavior first via training, then brush.

Then put paste on finger brush/toothbrush, near nose to accept the taste and approach.

Most dogs like the paste and approach; cats may resist – the above barely helps cats, never mind.

3. Cleaning aids – give bones with cleaning effect to rub the mouth; hard biscuits, dry food, or chew toys; mouthwash, powder, dental chews for daily care – good for lazy owners, costs but saves effort.

4. Professional cleaning – if severe tartar, see a hospital first, then a thorough cleaning, then daily care.

Per Taipei pet hospital data, 85% of cats/dogs over 3 have some oral disease, nearly half irreversible. Ignore oral care and older pets face issues. Good teeth, good appetite, healthy body – may every pet have healthy white teeth; for their health, go!