Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How often to brush dogs' teeth to reduce plaque and gum disease
By Harvey, Colin et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary dentistry·2015·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effect of Frequency of Brushing Teeth on Plaque and Calculus Accumulation, and Gingivitis in Dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of beagle dogs had their teeth brushed at different frequencies to see how it affected plaque buildup and gum health. The study found that brushing daily or every other day significantly reduced plaque and calculus compared to brushing less often or not at all. After 28 days, all dogs showed healthier gums with no injuries from brushing. The results suggest that daily brushing is the best way to keep your dog's teeth clean and gums healthy.
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Abstract
The efficacy of brushing the teeth of beagle dogs in a randomized, controlled, blinded study design using a clearly-defined brushing technique was evaluated for 4 brushing frequencies: brushing daily, brushing every other day, brushing weekly and brushing every other week, compared with no brushing in a control group of dogs. All dogs were fed a standard dry kibble diet during the study. Standard plaque, calculus, and gingivitis indices were used to score the teeth. A 'clean tooth' model was used. No gingival or non-gingival lacerations or other signs of injury to oral tissues were found at the end of the 28 day trial period. Brushing more frequently had greater effectiveness in retarding accumulation of plaque and calculus, and reducing the severity of pre-existing gingivitis. Brushing daily or every other day produced statistically significant improved results compared with brushing weekly or every other week. Based on the results of this study, daily brushing is recommended.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26197686/