My Stink-Free Party

I thoroughly enjoy throwing parties. The more people I have to create memories with and become better friends with the merrier. I also appreciate a good themed party. I have hosted a variety of parties from going away parties, birthday parties, TV show finale parties, game playing parties, movie watching parties, etc. Some would say I don’t need an excuse to host a party — but my most memorable excuse for a party was the “Marty McFly’s teeth don’t stink” party.

Marty McFly is my little senior citizen terrier mix. He is the perfect dog for my lifestyle. He is low key, quiet, sleeps a lot but is always ready to go for a walk and rarely meets someone he isn’t genuinely excited to meet. Marty is generally agreeable in all important matters of social decorum. But being true to little terrier form his dental health is lacking. To put it frankly — he can clear a room with his dragon-breath. It never ceases to amaze me how foul an odor can come from such a small source. This is particularly embarrassing when I have new friends over for one of my aforementioned parties.

There are a variety of products available to help in the fight against pet dental diseases including toothpastes, toothbrushes, dental treats, chews and even prescription foods. I am a veterinarian and I must admit that I have trouble remembering to brush Marty’s teeth daily. To some of you — it may seem completely ridiculous to have to brush a dog’s teeth. But trust me when I say that it makes a huge difference in your interaction with a fresh-breathed pet than when I am interacting with my otherwise lovable but foul-mouthed Marty.

I always recommend “pet toothpaste” for pets — using human toothpaste on dogs and cats can make them sick. There are often a selection of brands and flavors of pet toothpaste to choose from at pet stores or other retailers. At our clinic we carry two flavors of toothpaste. I prefer the “Vanilla Mint” flavor as it makes Marty’s breath smell a great deal better (at least temporarily). However, he must hate having minty fresh breath and fights me more with that than when I use the “Poultry” flavored paste.

We also carry a product called a “Fingerbrush.” It’s a plastic cap for your fingertip that has short sturdy bristles on one side that you can use to get the pet toothpaste to the surface of your pet’s teeth. I like it in particular because it’s made of sturdy enough stuff that it protects my finger from Marty’s bite. You can also use regular pet toothbrushes, an old clean sock or even long handled pet toothbrushes.

Dental health for pets is analogous to car maintenance. If you keep up on the routine maintenance for your car with regular oil changes and check ups — it will be cheaper in the long run and cause fewer headaches than if you let it go without. If you don’t keep up with your dog or cat’s dental health — you are asking for a potentially more expensive dental cleaning bill and more health problems for your pet.

Dental cleanings are recommended yearly for most adult pets. They are more than just getting your dog’s teeth brushed at the groomer (which is what you’re supposed to be doing daily). Dental cleanings involve putting your pet under general anesthesia, a dental exam by a trained veterinary professional, high-speed scaling and polishing of every tooth’s surface and extraction of any infected, loose or rotten teeth. Some clinics also perform dental x-rays for a full assessment of your pet’s dental health. We also use dental sealants to help with longer term dental tartar prevention.

The “Marty McFly’s teeth don’t stink” party was the day after one of his regular dental cleanings. My party guests each received dental themed gift bags — much like you get at your regular dentist appointments but with more flair. We had mint-flavored foods and drinks and reveled in Marty’s healthy breath smell. The “dragon-breath” that Marty has become infamous for is due to calculus and bacterial build up within his mouth. These bacteria may affect his overall health and may shorten his life-span. Owners who are able to brush their pet’s teeth regularly are not guaranteed a fresh-breathed, no-dental-cleaning-needed pet. However, they are much more likely to require less extractions at dental cleanings, have better overall health and you certainly won’t need to throw a party to celebrate a feat such as “his teeth don’t stink” unless of course you’re looking for an excuse for a good themed party.

Author:  Dr. Marisa Tong