While brushing a dog’s teeth is not difficult, there are a few things you need to know. First, we only brush dog’s teeth, not cat’s teeth. Dogs may react to this procedure because they are not used to being handled in this way. Plan and have what you need ready before you begin.
While you are talking to the owner about what services we will be doing with their pet, explain that tooth brushing does not remove plaque or buildup from the teeth. The purpose is to prevent any particles on the teeth from forming plaque. Once plaque has formed, no amount of brushing will remove it. The pet must have a dental cleaning procedure at the vet under sedation to remove plaque.
This is like how you care for your own teeth. You brush often to prevent plaque. However, once, or twice a year you have your teeth cleaned to remove plaque. After a professional cleaning, you can start over with a clean slate. It works the same with our pets. Teeth brushing helps to keep the pet’s teeth clean and fresh, but it does not fix gingivitis and plaque buildup that has already started. A veterinary teeth cleaning is necessary for that.
Some Important Ideas to Keep in Mind: Assess your pet before beginning. Do you need someone to hold the pet or are they properly secured?
Consider what is going on in the area where you will be brushing the teeth. Is there a lot of noise? Are there a lot of other dogs moving around in the area? Are the groomers next to you working with difficult pets? Do you have enough room to safely move around and secure the pet? If there are issues, look around and see if any of the distractions can be reduced or eliminated before trying again.
If the pet is getting a bath, teeth brushing is best done in the tub so that the pet is contained in an area where you will have better control. Another reason to do this service in the tub is that if we make a mess with the teeth gel, it can be rinsed off in the tub. If the pet is getting the Healthy Skin and Coat Treatment, you may want to brush the teeth after you put the conditioner on. Kennelwood Healthy Skin Conditioner is supposed to sit on the pet for five minutes, so brushing the teeth while you are waiting can help your work to flow more smoothly.
Now that we’ve considered several factors, let’s get started.
- Get any supplies that you may need ready and within reach of where your pet will be on the table. This includes a couple toothbrushes, Kennelwood gel for cleaning teeth, Kennelwood Fresh Breath Foam, and perhaps baby wipes.
- Properly secure your pet or have any needed helpers ready.
- Put the Kennelwood gel on the toothbrush. Take the cap off the Kennelwood Fresh Breath Foam so that you are ready to squirt it. Give it a couple pumps so it is ready to spray easily and quickly and is not loaded with air for the first try.
- We will only be brushing the outside of the pet’s teeth. The pet’s mouth will be closed. The tongue does a good job of keeping the inside of the teeth cleaned. It is the teeth that touch the gums that tend to have plaque buildup and gingivitis.
- Stand behind the pet’s shoulder facing the back of the head. The pet is facing away from you (use this positioning if the pet is not in the tub). Do your best to position yourself (similarly if the pet is restrained in the tub). Gently lift one side of the pet’s lips and start by brushing the canine tooth in a circular motion. You may need to gently hold the pet’s mouth closed. Next, reposition the brush with the handle facing away from you and move to brush the pet’s molars while continuing to hold the muzzle closed. You may need to pull the gums back and away from the teeth to get the brush in place. You may also have to lean a bit forward to see what you are doing when brushing the molars.
- If you are having trouble seeing what you are doing, you can move around the front of the pet and brush while facing the dog. However, pets are often less reactive if you are facing the same way as they are. Coming at them face to face with a toothbrush often causes the pet to be more resistant and throw the head.
- Next reload some Kennelwood gel onto the brush and get the front small teeth by brushing in a circular motion. Remember to keep the muzzle closed.
- Reload with Kennelwood gel one last time. While standing behind the pet’s shoulder, repeat step #5 for the other side of the mouth.
- Give the pet a squirt of the Kennelwood Fresh Breath Foam. Do this gently in the mouth and wait for them to swallow.
- Wipe off the muzzle with a baby wipe if needed.
- Give your pet a pat for being a good dog. Your pet now has squeaky clean breath.
- Right before the pet is returned to the owner, give the pet one more squirt of Kennelwood Fresh Breath Foam. Lots of people put their faces near their pet’s face for a kiss. They will notice the fresh smell.