How I Clean My Sugar Glider’s Teeth at Home

I’ll be honest—when I first got my sugar glider, Momo, I didn’t even think about her teeth. I was too busy falling in love with her huge eyes and the way she’d glide from my bookshelf to my shoulder like a tiny superhero. But then I noticed her breath getting a little funky, and after some late-night Googling, I realized: those tiny teeth need care too. In the wild, sugar gliders chew on rough stuff like bark and bugs to keep their chompers clean, but Momo’s diet of fruit and glider kibble wasn’t doing the trick. So, I figured out how to clean her teeth at home, and after some trial and error, I’ve got a system that works. Here’s how I do it—hopefully it’ll help you too.

Why Bother with Their Teeth?

I learned the hard way that sugar gliders can get plaque buildup just like us. If you ignore it, it turns into tartar, gum issues, or worse—Momo could lose a tooth, and I’d feel awful. At first, I thought, “She’s so small, how bad can it get?” But after seeing pics online of glider dental problems, I wasn’t taking chances. Plus, she’s with me for the long haul—10-15 years if I’m lucky—so I want her healthy.

Step 1: Peek at Those Teeth

Before I started, I had to see what I was dealing with. Momo’s not a fan of me poking around her face, so I waited until she was sleepy after playtime. I gently lifted her lip with my finger—her teeth are tiny, sharp, and usually pale white. If they’re yellow or gunky, that’s a sign to step up your game. Mine weren’t too bad, just a little buildup, but I still wanted to get in there.

Step 2: Grab the Right Stuff

You don’t need much, which is nice. I use:

• A super soft toothbrush—those ones for babies work great, or I’ve even used a clean mascara wand (no mascara, obviously!).
• Pet toothpaste—I got some chicken-flavored stuff from the vet. Human toothpaste is a no-go; it’s toxic for them.
• A treat—Momo loves a drop of yogurt or a nibble of apple.
• Patience—because, trust me, you’ll need it.

Step 3: Warm Her Up to It

Momo’s first reaction to the toothbrush was to hiss and skitter away like I’d insulted her. So, I took it slow. For a couple days, I just let her sniff it with a tiny smear of toothpaste on the end—she’d lick it off and look smug. Then I started rubbing it along her lips, no pressure, just getting her used to it. Treats after every try kept her from hating me. It took maybe a week before she’d let me near her actual teeth without a fuss.

Step 4: The Big Clean

When she was ready, I wrapped Momo in a little towel burrito—keeps her from flailing—and held her gently in my lap. I wet the toothbrush, added a dot of toothpaste (like, smaller than a pea), and went for it. I brushed the outside of her teeth, mostly the front ones I could reach, super light and quick—maybe 20 seconds tops. She squirmed a bit, but I talked to her in that goofy voice she likes, and it wasn’t a disaster. Don’t try to pry her mouth open; it’s not worth the stress for either of you.

Step 5: Wrap It Up

No rinsing needed—the pet toothpaste is safe to stay in there, which is good because Momo’s not spitting into a sink anytime soon. I wiped her chin with a damp cloth since she got a little messy, then gave her a yogurt drop. She glared at me for a second, then forgave me when the treat hit her tongue. I told her she was the bravest glider ever, and I think she believed me.

Extra Tricks I’ve Learned

Brushing’s not the only way to help. I give Momo some hard applewood sticks to chew on—she loves gnawing them, and it scrapes her teeth naturally. I also cut back on giving her too much mango—tasty, but the sugar’s not great for her. If your glider’s a fruit fiend like mine, maybe toss in some vet-approved dental chews too.

When It’s Vet Time

I can handle the basics, but if Momo ever stops eating or I see something weird like a broken tooth, I’m calling the vet. Last thing I want is her hiding pain—she’s too good at that.

My Takeaway

Cleaning Momo’s teeth isn’t exactly a spa day for either of us, but it’s worth it. It’s become our little routine, and I like knowing I’m keeping her healthy. If I can do it—someone who once forgot to brush my own teeth for two days—you can too. Give it a shot, take it easy, and your sugar glider will thank you with those cute little chirps.