Overwhelmed on where to start with taking care of your pets dental health?

We have put together a complete guide with the intention of demystifying this topic. After reading this article you should know which of the various brushes and gels which is best suited for your pet.

Like with anything in life, the introduction, persistence and repetition of dental brushing from a young age forms good habits with the benefits reaching later into life. Our parents always supervised the brushing of our teeth during childhood to ensure no emergency trips to the dentist were needed.

The case is the same for dogs and cats. The benefits of good dental health are manifold both for animals. Studies show 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease by the age of three. This is a serious infection that damages the gum and can erode the jawline. Diseases and infections can enter directly into the bloodstream via the gums. Good hygiene, using high quality products and regular check ups at the vets can minimise these risks.

To help with the vast amount of options available to pet parents, we would like to showcase the premium pet dental range we have on offer from Bogadent, a leading pet care company from Switzerland. Recommended use of the various products differs depending on the various ailments and dental condition of your pet. Please do consult your veterinarian if you are concerned with your pet’s health.

It is much easier to start from puppy age or if this isn’t possible to start as early as possible. Introducing oral inspections from an young age in a playful manner with patience and short sequences with lots of rewards is the key to success.  It will promote familiarity with the routine. This process can start as early 10 weeks of age.

Even though dogs start losing their milk teeth from 4 to 6 months, getting the dog used to dental care regime is extremely important.  We suggest the puppy is introduced to soft gum massages, first with a moistened finger, then with a little amount of toothpaste, followed by the Bogadent Anti-Plaque finger which is an ideal tool to begin with.

Smaller breeds and brachiocephalic (squashed face) breeds are particularly susceptible to teeth problems and we would like to stress the importance of dental care for them.

What kind of toothbrush should I use?

There are three key types to consider:

Silicone Finger Brush: This brush is placed on the finger tip for plenty of control. This is a good introductory brush for puppies as the soft bristles won’t irritate gums. Simply rub around inside their mouth to remove plaque from teeth. It is ideal for smaller tea cup breeds with not much space for brushing. This helps prevent plaque mineralising into tartar and causing long term damage to teeth health. The finger removes the plaque and is ideally used with the dental crème or if needs be the lipo-gel.

Ergo-Dual Toothbrush: This dual ended brush is perfect for day to day use stopping plaque build up around the molars, it has been ergonomically designed for teeth to be cleaned simply and effectively. The larger head can be used for cleaning the outside of the teeth, whilst the smaller head is used for cleaning on the inside of the teeth. For smaller dogs the smaller head may be more suitable for cleaning both the outside and inside edges.

 

Anti-Plaque Dental Finger Brush: This brush helps prevent the build up of plaque and tartar with the antibacterial effect from the silver ions. They inhibit microorganisms growing on the surface of the tooth. The brush is placed over the finger and affords greater control applying various amounts of pressure and angles for cleaning. It is useful as preventative measure or in conjunction with the lipo-gel to reduce existing tartar formation.

 This helps prevent plaque mineralising into tartar and causing long term damage to teeth health. The finger removes the plaque and is ideally used with the dental crème or lipo-gel.

What kind of toothpaste should I use?

In the Bogadent range, there are four options to consider. We outline the key differences below to help you make an informed choice which option might be best for your pet.

	Complete Crème	Sensitive Crème	Lipo-Gel	Hydro-Gel
Regular Teeth	X
Sensitive Teeth		X
Light plaque and tartar formation			X
Gum Irritation				X

Lipo-Gel: This gel is covered with oils and soft abrasive particles. This is to used with teeth that have plaque and light tartar formation. If used on a regular basis, in combination with the Anti-plaque finger it can help reduce existing light tartar formation.

Dental Crème Complete: This toothpaste with complex enzyme for normal teeth to prevent plaque formation.

Dental Crème Sensitive: This toothpaste with complex enzymes with added synthetic tooth enamel. For teeth with exposed tooth near the gumline to prevent plaque formation, it seals the tooth enamel and reduce sensitivity of the teeth.

Hydro-Gel: The tooth supports gum health. It moistens and soothes the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, as well preventing plaque formation and bad breath controlling the bacterial colonisation. The intended use is not as a cleaning-gel, but use as a LEAVE-ON Gel. It is a useful product for dogs who have tended to have irritated gums.

Using the Ergo-Dual brush in combination with the dental crème is perfect for brushing with normal teeth. As mentioned above, any. The anti-plaque finger is ideal for beginners, smaller breeds as it has a good abrasive effect with plenty of control.

We also have available a range of dental treats to help supplement brushing and cleaning. Coated in teeth cleaning enzymes and baked in shapes to aid teeth cleaning by chewing. The range includes:

• Plaque stop sticks
• Dental Enzyme strips
• Dental Fibre Flexies

Cats Need Dental Care Too!

There is no minimum age to start brushing for cats. Just like dogs, introducing dental brushing from a young age with help your cat get accustomed to the process, all in the comfort of your own home. First try with some cat toothpaste on your finger, advancing onto the anti-plaque finger in time. Plenty of treats and rewards are key to success for fickle felines.

The video depicts a customer brushing the kitty’s teeth with the antiplaque finer brush.

Antiplaque finger brush: The innovative microfibre brush helps to prevent the build up of plaque and tartar. Consisting of 20,000 high-quality microfibres, coasted with patented silver-ions, allows for a sustained release of the antibacterial treatment. The brush adjusts to all finger sizes and is easy to clean. Apply a little bit of Lipo-Gel on the finger and clean the outer and inner areas of the canine and molar teeth with small circular motions.

Lipo Gel: This tooth cleaning gel is made from an innovative formula including almond and safflower oil to prevent the build up of tartar and bad breath. The collection of gentle cleaning agents clean teeth effectively, forming a protective film on the teeth and gums. It is most effectively used with the Bogadent Anti-plaque finger or the silicone finger. The tooth gel is harmless if swallowed.

To supplement brushing, we also offer feline Dental Enzyme Chips made from 92% fish and chicken supplemented with natural enzymes. They combine a daily dental care routine with a reward treat through its specific texture and consistency. Suitable for cats aged 7 months and above who can chew bite and grind their food properly.

We hope this helps and this guide has empowered you to start on a sustainable and long lasting dental adventure. You can find all the dog products mentioned our Bath Time section of our website, and the cat products in this section here.