Feed a dry diet whenever possible. Avoid sugary treats such as raisins and candy. Dental cleaning to remove tartar buildup can be performed by your regular veterinarian. In most cases, this can be done with manual restraint. If gum disease or infection is present, a thorough dental cleaning and polishing is recommended under anesthesia.
Home care can help to prevent or reduce dental disease.
The gums and teeth can be cleansed using a cotton-tip applicator or gauze sponge with either an oral cleansing rinse or a toothpaste. Both may be purchased at your vet's clinic, or at some pet stores. On Sept 14th, intrepid OFA members came out to the Beaverton Petco to help with our Outreach Program. My thanks to Chris Mowbray and Vic and Lin Miller for helping. Many customers came into the store and talked to us, so the time passed quickly.