Making headway in dental care...

addiebee

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I embarked on a program to improve my foster boys' dental health about 6 weeks ago. I am now using CET or Petrodex dental chews and toothpaste .. and PlaqueOff dentrifice in their food once a day. Not everyone eats the chews, but EVERYONE gets the plaque treatment and the TP.

I wasn't able to really examine everyones teeth, but I knew Archie had some periodontal disease. The vet had recommended a cleaning and some antibios.

At least two other guys had really, really bad breath! Jakie likes to kiss me on my face... uuuggghhhh!!!


Well, I am happy to report there has definitely been an improvement .... Both Ghost and Jake's breath are much better... Archie's gums don't look as red.

Ghost may need a cleaning soon, too, b/c I did get a look at the back teeth.. the jaggedy ones just behind the fangs have a lot of build up on them - yellow - like yellow barnacles... I was able to pick off a little bit with my fingernail... so maybe the PlaqueOff is softening it up.

They sure don't like getting the paste/gel on their teeth. Too bad!!
 

otto

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I use the c.e.t. toothpaste on my three cats, too, every night.

They don't like getting their teeth "brushed" (I use my finger) but they do like the taste of it.
 
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addiebee

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I am also looking into Biotene product line... which was recommended on here, too. Carolina uses it on Bugsy.
 

otto

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Originally Posted by Ryffian

What are some tips or advice you could offer to start an oral hygiene routine?
this is how I did it:

I started by just getting them used to me rubbing my finger lightly along their lip line, either side. Most cats like this any way. (if you are planning to use a brush, you might start this with the brush. I have always just used my finger)

While doing this, I was putting the c.e.t. toothpaste on a paw for them to lick off, and get used to the taste. (they actually like it!)

This helps them associate the finger (or brush) rubbing along the mouth with the taste of the c.e.t.

Then, I started making the action more purposeful, putting them in the "holding position", which is: me on my knees, feet crossed behind me, cat between my knees facing out.

Using a little more pressure which parts the lips, I'd be rubbing their teeth and gums instead of the lips, while they get used to me restraining them while doing it. After the action, again, putting a little paste on the paw.

So now they are associating the action with the taste of the c.e.t.

From there, I put the c.e.t. toothpaste on my finger, hold them in position, and rub it into their teeth and gums.

This was a bit messy, so lately I've learned to use my other hand to kind of pry open the lips so I can make direct contact with the molars and gumline.

All this took time of course, but cats can get used to any sort of handling if it's done gradually and gently enough.

Oh,I forgot to mention..I always wash my hands before starting and between each cat.
 

carolina

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Originally Posted by AddieBee

I am also looking into Biotene product line... which was recommended on here, too. Carolina uses it on Bugsy.
What I like about Biotene is that you don't have to brush... IMO that's the biggest advantage... You put a strip of it on it, and that's that. For a cat with stomatitis, that is a big advantage (it would hurt too much). Also IMO for any cat, really... Just easy to apply...
Bugsy does love the taste of CET though, so sometimes I do give him a dab as a treat to freshen his breath.
 
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