Pet’s teeth should be brushed daily

People all know that teeth are important. Keeping teeth clean is vital to one’s health and well-being, and that is no different for pets.

“Ideally, you should brush your pet’s teeth daily,” states Dr. Johnathon Dodd, clinical professor at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Make sure you are using special toothpaste that is made for pets and is safe for them to swallow. They cannot spit or rinse like we do, so our pets need specific kinds of toothpaste that is not harmful if ingested.”

Having your pet’s teeth inspected and cleaned is an important responsibility many owners overlook. This seemingly slight slip of your pet’s dental care could be causing serious problems in your pet’s mouth.




For our pets gum, disease means bad breath and painful, irritated gums that can lead to bleeding, loss of appetite and the loss of teeth if the roots have been affected.

There is also the possibility that the bacteria surrounding the root of the tooth gains access to the bloodstream, which can lead to microscopic damage of the heart, liver and kidney. As the severity of the gum disease increases, so does the damage.



“Your pet needs to get their teeth cleaned yearly,” said Dodd. “Most veterinary clinics should offer dental cleaning services, but if they do not they can refer you to someone who does.”


“There are certain dog treats that help promote good dental health,” said Dodd. “The right kind of treat should crumble, be easily crushed, and contain chlorhexadine or a hydrogen peroxide-type additive that can help with the bacteria count in the animal’s mouth. Balancing this bacteria count can help prevent and get rid of bad breath.”

A helpful guide to go by when considering your pets’ oral health is the Veterinary Oral Health Council website. They have a compiled list of products that are intended to help reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar on the teeth of animals and have created the VOHC seal of approval. To see the full list of VOHC approved products visit