How to Brush Your Cavalier's Teeth

Once your Cavalier is comfortable with the toothbrush, you can begin establishing a regular routine.

1. Choose a calm time

Choose a time when your Cavalier is relaxed.

Avoid attempting tooth brushing when your dog is excited, tired, hungry or eager to play.

2. Lift the lip gently

You generally don't need to force your Cavalier's mouth open.

Gently lift the lip to expose the teeth and gums.

3. Brush gently

Use gentle strokes along the outside surfaces of the teeth, paying particular attention to the areas where the teeth meet the gums.

Plaque and tartar accumulate particularly rapidly on the cheek-facing surfaces of the upper teeth, so these areas deserve particular attention.

4. Work around the mouth

As your Cavalier becomes more comfortable, gradually work towards brushing all the teeth.

Ideally, all tooth surfaces should be cleaned, including the inside surfaces where practical.

5. Keep it positive

Praise your Cavalier throughout the process.

When you're finished, reward them.

Your Cavalier should learn:

Toothbrush = good things happen.

Don't Force Tooth Brushing

If your Cavalier becomes frightened, distressed or defensive, stop. Forcing the toothbrush into your dog's mouth can create a negative association that makes future dental care considerably harder.

Instead, go back to the previous step where your Cavalier was comfortable and build up gradually. Some Cavaliers will learn to accept brushing within days. Others may take weeks. Patience is part of the process.

What If My Cavalier Won't Let Me Brush Their Teeth?

You're not alone. Some dogs simply don't like having their mouths handled. If your Cavalier won't tolerate brushing, don't give up immediately.

Try:

• A smaller toothbrush

• A softer toothbrush

• A different dog-specific toothpaste

• Shorter sessions

• More treats

• Brushing at a different time of day

• Starting with just one or two teeth

• Returning to gentle mouth handling before introducing the brush

The VOHC acknowledges that not every dog will tolerate a complete daily brushing sequence and recommends regular brushing activity even when the ideal routine cannot be achieved. If brushing remains impossible, speak with your veterinarian about other evidence-based ways to help control plaque.

What About Finger Brushes?

Finger-mounted brushes are sometimes marketed as an easy way to brush a dog's teeth. However, the most important thing is effective plaque removal without injuring the gums or mouth.

A conventional soft-bristled toothbrush may provide better mechanical cleaning, particularly when used correctly. Ask your veterinarian which brush is most appropriate for your Cavalier.

What About Dental Chews?

Dental chews can be useful as part of a broader dental-care routine, but they should not automatically be considered a replacement for brushing. The VOHC evaluates products that demonstrate evidence for helping control plaque and/or tartar and maintains a list of products that have earned its Seal of Acceptance.

If you use dental chews:

• Choose an appropriate size

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions

• Supervise your Cavalier

• Consider the calories they add to the daily diet

• Ask your veterinarian whether the product is appropriate

The VOHC also advises owners to select appropriately sized products and supervise dogs while chewing certain dental treats to reduce the risk associated with ingestion.

Look for the VOHC Seal

When considering dental products, you may come across the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance. VOHC awards its seal to products that meet defined standards for helping control plaque and/or tartar.

The current VOHC accepted-products list includes certain dog toothbrushes, toothpastes, dental diets, edible chews and other dental products. This doesn't mean that every Cavalier needs a VOHC-accepted product, but it can provide useful evidence when choosing from the many dental products available.

Tooth Brushing Does Not Remove Existing Tartar

This is an important distinction. Brushing removes plaque. It does not remove established tartar or calculus. Once plaque has mineralised into hard calculus, professional veterinary treatment may be required.

This is why it is better to establish a tooth-brushing routine before significant tartar develops. The VOHC notes that many middle-aged and older dogs require periodic professional scaling in addition to ongoing plaque control at home.

Tooth Brushing Does Not Replace Veterinary Dental Care

Even an excellent home tooth-brushing routine doesn't mean your Cavalier will never need professional dental treatment. Your veterinarian should regularly examine your dog's mouth and teeth.

Professional dental assessment may identify problems that aren't visible during brushing at home, including disease below the gum line. The VOHC recommends periodic veterinary examination of dogs' mouths and teeth.

Your veterinarian can determine whether your Cavalier needs:

• A routine dental examination

• Professional scaling

• Dental radiographs

• Treatment of periodontal disease

• Extraction of diseased teeth

• A revised home-care plan

What If My Cavalier Already Has Dental Disease?

If your Cavalier already has significant tartar, red or bleeding gums, loose teeth or obvious oral pain, don't simply start vigorous brushing and hope it improves. Established periodontal disease may require veterinary treatment first.

Once the mouth has been appropriately assessed and treated, your veterinarian can recommend a suitable ongoing home-care routine. Brushing is most effective as prevention and ongoing maintenance, not as a substitute for treating established dental disease.

Start Tooth Brushing When Your Cavalier Is Young

The ideal time to introduce tooth brushing is when your Cavalier is a puppy. Young dogs can learn that having their mouths handled is simply part of everyday life.

Introduce:

• Mouth handling

• Lip lifting

• Tooth examination

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

gradually and positively.

Starting early can make dental care considerably easier throughout your Cavalier's life. However, an older Cavalier can learn too. It may simply take a little more patience.