Dental Care Faqs

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Dental Care Faqs

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3 Easy Options for Good Oral Health

Pick the option that is best for you and your pet; or use all three for fresh breath and healthy teeth and gums.

Good to chew

More than just a reward for good behavior! Treat your pet every day to great-tasting C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Chews or Veggie Dent Chews. They are a good option to help control plaque and eliminate bacteria buildup. Give your dog at least one chew daily to reduce plaque and calculus. Hill’s Science Diet also makes a prescription and over-the-counter diet designed to reduce tartar buildup and is nutritionally balanced so it can be used as a maintenance diet.

Better to Rinse

If it's difficult for you to brush at first, C.E.T Oral Hygiene Rinse provides antibacterial action and plaque prevention. Rinse is easy to use–just apply between the pet's cheek and gum. The rinse quickly covers the entire mouth. Contains Zinc Chlorhexidate to help fight plaque, maintain oral health, and freshen breath fast.

Best to Brush

Daily tooth brushing is the best at-home method of ensuring your pet will enjoy good dental health. It's easy, quick, and can be fun for both you and your pet.

…and Don’t Forget to Drink!

AquaDent™ drinking water additive helps reduce a pet’s plaque and tartar buildup. Just two teaspoons of AquaDent per quart of water a day can make a big difference in a pet’s dental health.

Dental Home Care FAQs

Plaque and tartar build up on the teeth can lead to pain, bad breath and tooth loss. Just like with people, the goal of a good pet dental care program is the removal of plaque.

Plaque is a soft, grayish film of bacteria that can be easily removed by daily tooth brushing.

When plaque accumulates on the teeth, it hardens and forms tartar.

If plaque is controlled, it is less likely to harden, forming tartar, which requires professional removal by a veterinarian. A good dental care program involves the pet owner, the veterinarian and the use of the proper home dental care products.

Not only do pets not like their owners’ toothpaste, it is not good for them. C.E.T. toothpaste is specially formulated in flavors dogs and cats prefer and are meant to be swallowed. The shape and size of a dog’s or cat’s mouth and teeth determine the type of brush needed. We can recommend the best toothbrush for your pet.

If chews are the only preventive you are using, once a day.

Choose a method that suits your situation and ability as well as the needs and temperament of your pet. Consistent, daily home care is most beneficial, so commitment to a regular schedule is as important as choosing the product that is most comfortable for you and your pet.

Dental Home Care FAQs

Plaque and tartar build up on the teeth can lead to pain, bad breath and tooth loss. Just like with people, the goal of a good pet dental care program is the removal of plaque.

Plaque is a soft, grayish film of bacteria that can be easily removed by daily tooth brushing.

When plaque accumulates on the teeth, it hardens and forms tartar.

If plaque is controlled, it is less likely to harden, forming tartar, which requires professional removal by a veterinarian. A good dental care program involves the pet owner, the veterinarian and the use of the proper home dental care products.

Not only do pets not like their owners’ toothpaste, it is not good for them. C.E.T. toothpaste is specially formulated in flavors dogs and cats prefer and are meant to be swallowed. The shape and size of a dog’s or cat’s mouth and teeth determine the type of brush needed. We can recommend the best toothbrush for your pet.

If chews are the only preventive you are using, once a day.

Choose a method that suits your situation and ability as well as the needs and temperament of your pet. Consistent, daily home care is most beneficial, so commitment to a regular schedule is as important as choosing the product that is most comfortable for you and your pet.

Bad breath (halitosis) in pets

Does your pet’s mouth smell not so sweet? A bad odor can be a sign of serious problems for your pet, such as periodontal disease or oral or systemic infection. So discuss your pet’s problem with your veterinarian.

Common mouth myths: true or false?

FALSE. An odor is not normal. Just like in people, bad breath in pets is often a sign of dental disease and re­quires treatment to safeguard your pet’s health.

FALSE. Even with regular dental cleanings at your veteri­nary practice, your pet still needs regular tooth brushing to keep his breath sweet and his pearly whites sparkling.

FALSE. While there are some natural enzyme systems at work in your pet’s mouth, it will not keep your pet’s mouth clean. Debris builds up on your pet’s teeth and requires brushing or rubbing to keep the mouth fresh.

FALSE. Cats and small-breed dogs often require more dental care then larger-breed dogs.

FALSE. An odor in your cat’s mouth is a sign of a health problem, and you should discuss your pet’s problem with your veterinarian.

Common mouth myths: true or false?

FALSE. An odor is not normal. Just like in people, bad breath in pets is often a sign of dental disease and re­quires treatment to safeguard your pet’s health.

FALSE. Even with regular dental cleanings at your veteri­nary practice, your pet still needs regular tooth brushing to keep his breath sweet and his pearly whites sparkling.

FALSE. While there are some natural enzyme systems at work in your pet’s mouth, it will not keep your pet’s mouth clean. Debris builds up on your pet’s teeth and requires brushing or rubbing to keep the mouth fresh.

FALSE. Cats and small-breed dogs often require more dental care then larger-breed dogs.

FALSE. An odor in your cat’s mouth is a sign of a health problem, and you should discuss your pet’s problem with your veterinarian.

Dental Disease

Signs your pet is suffering from dental disease:

  • Bad breath
  • Red gums (healthy gums are a pink, shrimp-like color)
  • Pus oozing from gums
  • Facial swelling
  • Yellow or brownish buildup on the teeth
  • Pain

Another clue that your pet may be in pain is if it goes to the food bowl and backs away as if scared or drops food from its mouth.

Dental Products

Dual-ended toothbrush

Dual-ended toothbrush has a long handle with reverse angle allows for easy application. Tapered end conforms to pet’s mouth and teeth. Dual-ended for large and small tooth surfaces. Soft bristles assure a gentle, well tolerated application. The Pet toothbrush has Soft bristles for pet comfort and acceptance with a small end and reverse angle for ease of use.

CET Enzymatic toothpaste

CET Enzymatic toothpaste has a dual-enzyme system formulated for dogs and cats and provides natural antibacterial action. Palatable and formulated to be safe when swallowed by the pet.

C.E.T. VeggieDent

As simple as giving a daily treat, great tasting, Z-shaped C.E.T. VeggieDent chews work with the dog's chewing action to help freshen the breath, reduce plaque and decrease tartar formation.

C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews

Great tasting C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews with the Chlorhexidine System help remove plaque and reduce tartar. The antiseptic chlorhexidine system, combined with the natural abrasive cleansing action of C.E.T. HEXtra Premium Chews, helps to keep breath fresh and teeth clean.

CET Oral Hygiene Rinse

CET Oral Hygiene Rinse helps fight plaque, maintain oral health, and freshen breath fast. May be used with or without brushing. Available in a unique point-and-squeeze applicator bottle.

CET Aquadent

CET Aquadent helps freshen your pet's breath and maintain oral hygiene in conjunction with a regular home dental care program. Simply add C.E.T. AquaDent to your pet's drinking water to provide clinically tested oral hygiene care every time your pet drinks.

Oral Cleansing Gel

Maxi/Guard Oral Cleansing Gel is an oral cleansing gel that cleanses and freshens with or without brushing. A natural cleansing action will distribute gel to remote areas. The product is natural, safe for daily use, taste free, and provides good pet acceptance.

Dental Wipes

With the DentAcetic Dental Wipes, cleaning is by mechanical means utilizing the uneven surface of the wipes and the potent degreasing ability of acetic acid. It also coats the teeth and prevents further plaque, calculus and tartar build-up. The flavoring agent is pleasant cinnamon-clove, which is favored by dogs and deodorizes their breath.

Hill’s T/D Diets

The Hill’s T/D Diets are designed to reduce the accumulation of dental plaque and calculus while providing a complete and balanced diet for the nutritional needs of adult dogs.

Where to begin when brushing your dog’s teeth

Number one, this should be fun for you and your dog. Be upbeat and take things slowly. Do not overly restrain your dog. Keep sessions short and positive. Be sure to praise your dog throughout the process. Give yourself a pat on the back, too! You are doing a great thing for your dog!

Step 01

First, have your dog get used to you putting things in his mouth. Place some pet toothpaste on your finger. Pet toothpastes either have poultry, malt, beef, or other flavor so your dog will like the taste. Call your dog with a voice that means “treat” and let your dog lick the toothpaste off your finger. Then rub your finger gently over your dog’s gums and teeth. After a few sessions (usually 5-7 days), your dog should actually look forward to this and you can move on.

Step 02

Now, place toothpaste on your finger or a finger brush. Gently rub the teeth in a circular motion with your finger. Repeat this for another 5-7 days or as many sessions it takes your dog to feel comfortable with this procedure. Remember to praise him and keep an upbeat attitude.

After your dog is used to having the flavored toothpaste in his mouth, you are ready to start with a toothbrush. You need to get your dog used to the consistency of the bristles on a brush. So, let your dog lick something tasty (the pet toothpaste you have been using or beef bouillon) off of the brush so he gets used to the texture. Let your dog do this for 5-7 days. Praise your dog.

Step 03

Now your dog is used to the toothbrush and toothpaste and you are ready to start brushing. Talk to your dog in a happy voice during the process and praise your dog at the end. At first, you may just want to brush one or both upper canine teeth (the large ones in the front of the mouth). These are the easiest teeth for you to get at and will give you some easier practice. As before, when your dog accepts having several teeth brushed, slowly increase the number of teeth you are brushing. Again, by making it appear to be a game, you both will have fun doing it.