Essential dental care tips for dogs and cats, from a dental surgeon

I spent my career looking after human mouths before I started looking after Merlo's. The surprising thing was how much carried over. The teeth are different, the patient is furrier, but the rules are the same: small daily habits, the right tools, and a professional check when something is not right. These are the tips I give every new Petdentist customer.

1. Use a pet toothpaste, never a human one

Human toothpaste is designed to be spat out. Pets swallow everything, and common human toothpaste ingredients such as fluoride and the sweetener xylitol are not suitable for them. A pet toothpaste is made to be licked and swallowed. Petsmile Professional Pet Toothpaste is VOHC Accepted for plaque control in dogs, contains no fluoride or xylitol, and comes in three flavours, so brushing starts as a treat rather than a battle.

2. Let the taste do the first week's work

Before a brush goes anywhere near the mouth, let your pet lick a little toothpaste from your fingertip once a day for three or four days. Then rub a little on the front teeth with your finger. By the time the brush appears, the paste is something your pet wants, and the brush is just the thing that carries it.

3. Brush the outside, not the inside

The tongue keeps the inner surfaces of the teeth reasonably clear. Plaque collects on the outer surfaces, especially the upper back teeth. Lift the lip, angle the bristles at 45 degrees to the gum line and use short strokes along the outside. You never need to open the mouth.

4. Match the brush to the mouth

Cats and small dogs do best with a compact, soft head: our bamboo charcoal toothbrush was designed for exactly that. Medium and large dogs need reach, which is what the large breed toothbrush with its long neck gives you. Replace any brush every three months, or sooner if the bristles splay.

5. Daily beats perfect

Plaque hardens within days. Ten calm seconds every day does more than five minutes once a fortnight, and your pet will tolerate the short version far better. Stop before your pet objects, praise, and go again tomorrow.

6. Start puppies and kittens early, but start adults too

A pet that learns brushing at eight to twelve weeks usually accepts it for life. An adult or senior pet can still learn; it just takes a few more weeks of patience, and an older pet with existing tartar should see the vet first so that home brushing starts on a clean mouth.

7. Look inside once a week

A weekly lift of the lip is how you catch change early: a red gum line, a chipped tooth, a new brown deposit, a smell. Same day each week, both sides, two minutes.

8. Choose chews that give under your thumb

Hard chews, cooked bones and antlers are a common cause of broken teeth. A textured rubber and rope toy such as our tyre rope flosser gives teeth and gums something to work on without the risk, and you can smear pet toothpaste in the grooves. Supervise, and bin it when it frays. Chewing supports brushing; it does not replace it.

9. Keep the rest of the routine simple

Fresh water always down, meals at regular times, and if you use a complementary feed such as our probiotic powder, the daily serving over the food. It supports normal digestion; it is not a dental product, and we do not pretend otherwise.

10. Let your vet do the vet's job

Home care keeps a healthy mouth clean. Hardened tartar, sore or bleeding gums, broken teeth and persistent bad breath are for your vet, and nothing we sell is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition. Book a check once a year, and sooner if your weekly look turns up something new.

Three things that do not help

• Brushing hard. Pressure does not clean better; it makes pets pull away. Light strokes along the gum line are enough.
• Buying a product to fix a smell. Bad breath is a signal, not a condition to mask.
• Waiting for the perfect moment. There is no perfect moment; there is only today's ten seconds.

Questions people ask

Which products do I need to start?

A pet toothpaste and one soft brush sized for your pet. Our Duo Kit pairs Petsmile Say Cheese with the bamboo brush and case for cats and small dogs; larger dogs pair the toothpaste with the large breed brush.

Is it the same routine for cats?

Yes, with shorter sessions and a compact brush. Cats prefer a few seconds at a time, sitting on your lap facing away from you. Our cat brushing guide goes through it step by step.

How do I know if the routine is working?

The weekly look tells you. Cleaner-looking back teeth, a pinker gum line and fresher-smelling breath over four to six weeks are the signs. If nothing changes, or anything gets worse, see your vet.

Read next: How to brush a cat's teeth without a fight, Pet toothpaste vs human toothpaste, Tell us about your pet for a tailored suggestion.

About the author. Dr Deepak Songra BDS (GDC 68552) is a dental surgeon with more than 35 years in clinical practice and the founder of Petdentist®. He is not a vet. He lives with Merlo, the Cavapoo you will see across this site.

This article is general information about daily care, not veterinary advice. Petdentist® products are non-medicinal daily-care products for dogs and cats and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are worried about your pet, please see your vet. Petdentist® is the trading name of Pet Dentist L.L.C-FZ, Meydan Grandstand, 6th Floor, Meydan Road, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, UAE. UK orders are dispatched from Northampton.