Is Home Dentistry Possible for your Pets? Tips and Risks

Dental care for Dogs and Cats can be veryexpensive going to the vet… .

Before we get into the ways to help your dog/cat’s teeth at home, may I suggest something that can naturally lower gum inflammation?

The active ingredient in the spice turmeric (95% curcumin), is an exceptional anti-inflammatory, which is what you WANT when you have inflamed gums (gingivitis).

Meaning they can also be beneficial for dental health, along with acting as a natural pain killer.

We have a ‘newish’ 95% curcumin supplement:

It is very highly absorbable – BCM-95 (CURCUGREEN) is 700% more bioavailable than regular curcumin, and with piperine (BioPerine) added, absorption is enhanced even further (piperine has been shown to enhance absorption of curcumin by up to 2000%)

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate HIGH ABSORPTION Curcumin for Dogs and Cats [https://shop.veterinarysecrets.com/supplements/ultimate-high-absorption-curcumin.html]

The DENTAL Debate

Say someonesuggested that your dog ‘could benefit’ from a dental, and maybe your feeling pressure to get your dog/cat’s teeth cleaned

But it can be verypricy, and NOT always necessary…

This is what you should know… .

Dental Disease is VERY common, with bacteria in the mouth (plaque), turning to tartar, then affecting the gums (gingivitis)

It can be very severe which WOULD require a veterinary Dental Scale and Polish

OR less severe, (as in majority of dogs/cats), in which you may be able to help at home…

Brush your dog’s teeth

Just like humans, dog’s pearly whites need some brushing too. All you need are the usual tooth brush and dental toothpaste specifically for dogs. Another great alternative for dog toothpaste is baking soda. Please do not use toothpaste for humans because they can be toxic to dogs when swallowed. When brushing your dog’s teeth, focus on the gum line since that’s where we see the bulk of dental problems like gingivitis.

Fruits and vegetables

This remedy is something your mom must have told you to eat more. Fruits and vegetables are nutritious and great for humans and also for dogs. Carrots and apples are particularly good for their teeth. They are very firm and crunchy and abrasive enough to help break down tartar and plaque.

Raw meaty bones

Giving your dog raw meaty bones twice a week do not just make them happy but at the same time help you save money. The abrasive action of these bones is perfect for keeping your dog’s teeth shiny without the risk of dental fractures.

Plaque off

Plaque off is a natural product suitable for both cats and dogs. It is rich in natural iodine and contains important vitamins and minerals and is free from artificial colors, preservatives, gluten and sugar. It’s an effective plaque control as it affects the ability of plaque to ‘stick’ to surfaces in the mouth and softens hard tartar deposits. For dogs that weigh under 10kgs, just use 1 scoop a day by adding it to the dog food. Heavier dogs can have 2 scoops a day. Improvements become visible after 4-6 weeks of use. .

Dental Spray (Leba lll)

Dental sprays, specifically Leba lll, are great and safe for dogs. It contains herbs like mints and roses in trace elements, stabilized in Ethyl alcohol 25% and distilled water. All these ingredients are human grade. The herbs are the active ingredients that stimulate the enzymes and change the chemistry in the mouth which in turn, softens the tartar. This should be given twice a day (morning and night). Effects become apparent after 4-6 weeks of continuous use.

Coenzyme Q 10

CoQ10 aids in generating energy and is found in every cell of the body, especially the heart and gums. Low levels of this essential enzyme have been linked to periodontal disease. In one study a periodontal specialist discovered that people with diseased gums had an unusually large deficiency of coenzyme Q-10. This is also very applicable to our pets who serious recurring gingivitis. The Coenzyme Q 10 dose is 1mg/lb

Green Tea Rinse

Lastly, do not forget about some simple and easy natural ways to decrease plaque, gum inflammation and bad breath with the use of a Green Tea Rinse- plus if your dog swallows some it is OK! Start by making a cup of green tea in the morning, and using a 20cc syringe, squirt the green tea on the top and bottom of the gums twice daily. This can be done for 14 days to see if it is helping, then continued indefinitely.

Non-Anesthetic Teeth Cleaning

A number of people are offering ‘non-anesthetic’ teeth cleaning… .as a vet I was strongly opposed to this, but feeling a little different now I have a small dog with not the best teeth… here is what one company has to say… .

Is Non-Anesthetic Teeth Cleaning Safe for Dogs?

“Is it safe?" is one of the questions we get asked all the time by pet parents. Yes, it is! A veterinarian may not want to anesthetize a medically compromised pet, and they will instead use another approach to clean a dog or cat’s teeth. You can have your pet’s teeth cleaned without anesthesia whether they’re young and healthy or have health issues.

Dental Hand Scalers can be used, and I was able to do this with my last dog Lewis- He was neverput under anesthesia for a dental

Now there are also HOME Dental Ultrasonic Scalers…

All worth considering… .

Best Wishes,

Dr Andrew

P.S. I was very surprised HOW quickly the plaque/tartar retuned on Tula after her last veterinary dental… .this really has we wanting to consider the home ultrasonic scaler…

I’ll let you know when I try it 🙂

P.P.S. Our 95% Curcumin Supplement for Dogs and Cats may help decrease gum inflammation helping with the whole dental thing… it’s a great one to consider if you have tried other products and nothing yet has worked.

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate HIGH ABSORPTION Curcumin for Dogs and Cats 

Dr. Jones’ Ultimate High Absorption 95% Curcumin (BCM-95 ~ Curcugreen) with BioPerine is a highly absorbable compound with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects.