Cosmetic teeth cleaning an important part of pet hygiene and care

By Ellouise Thompson

FERGUS – It is no secret that brushing one’s teeth is an essential part of everyday life – from getting rid of dreaded “morning breath” to protecting the look and integrity of the teeth. 

While we can pick up a toothbrush any time, our pets need a little more help. 

Just like humans, cats and dogs fall victim to bad breath, plaque and tartar build-up, which, if left untreated, can result in dental issues such as tooth decay, inflamed gums and infection. 

Danielle LeBlanc and Jacob Miller of Opal Teeth Co. in Fergus are just two of many professionals offering dental hygiene services for pets.

“So what we do is we gently hand scale above the gum line, kind of like what you would have done when you go to the dentist,” said LeBlanc. 

“For medium and small dogs and cats, we wrap them in a towel, kind of like a baby and lay them on their backs in our laps.” 

LeBlanc says this approach can be very beneficial for older pets that may not enjoy the process but also can’t be sedated.

While humans should brush twice per day, cats and dogs have a much more varied dental schedule.

“Every dog’s mouth is different and some breeds have worse build up than others,” said LeBlanc. 

“A small poodle or even a larger poodle, they usually need to come back about every six months, whereas, a golden retriever might have to come back every year.”

“It totally depends on your dog and if they’re eating natural chews like Bully Sticks or something like that. It really helps them clean the tartar and the build up off themselves.”

Cats are the same, with various cat breeds requiring different levels of dental care.

And while a professional cleaning is a good idea, pet owners should still be attentive to their pet’s teeth at home. 

“I usually talk about Bully Sticks. It’s kind of like a toothbrush. It kind of frays a little bit on the end and it’s something natural so the tooth sinks into it,” said LeBlanc. 

“For home care, we do recommend, if you can get in your pet’s [mouth], it’s great if you can brush every day, but obviously a lot of pets won’t allow it, or we get busy and we forget with life.” 

LeBlanc recommends dog owners use a baby cloth on the finger to rub the teeth clean.

She also suggests avoiding most pet tooth brushes (unless the bristles are extremely soft) as they can be too abrasive and can cause damage to the gums, leading to pain and avoidance of dental care. 

For cats, a baby cloth may work, however for more “spicy” cats a soft toothbrush and a good swaddle should do the trick. 

For more information on home pet dental care or to book a teeth cleaning with Opal Teeth Co. visit opalteeth.ca/locations.