Pet Dental Care is Vital!

We are sure you are a responsible pet owner. You take good care of your pet. You feed your pet high quality foods; you make sure he or she gets suitable exercise ... but do you take care of your pet's teeth? Start your pet's dental program today...

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You can prevent serious dental problems by making sure your pet receives dental examinations at least once a year. Annual dental exams should be scheduled at the time of booster vaccinations and parasite checks. Your veterinarian may then recommend that your pet receive dental cleaning, which can prevent serious heart, liver and kidney problems. 

How can you tell if a dog or cat has dental disease? Gingivitis (an inflammation of the gums) occurs when soft plaque hardens into rough, irritating tartar. Tartar build-up on your pet's teeth can damage the teeth and gums. If left untreated, gingivitis leads to periodontal disease, which can cause the loss of teeth and can affect the function of the heart, liver and other internal organs. Does you pet have bad breath or reddened gums? 

Pets can develop dental disease and problems, and many of these problems can lead to serious illness. Problems can be avoided by taking your pet to your veterinarian for regular dental check-ups and by practicing preventive dental care at home. 

Dental Cleaning

A pet's dental cleaning begins with a physical examination to evaluate his or her general health. In older pets this may include laboratory work, x-rays and/or an electrocardiogram. After the examination and tests, an anesthetic may be administered for a safe and painless sleep during the dental cleaning. 

What takes place during tooth cleaning? The first part of dental cleaning requires the removal of tartar with a dental hand scaler. Next, a periodontal probe checks for pockets under the gum line where periodontal disease and bad breath starts. A mechanical scaler is used to clean above the gum line while a curette cleans and smoothes the teeth under the gum line. 

Following scaling, the teeth are polished, creating a smooth surface. Then the gums are washed with an antibacterial solution to help delay tartar build-up (both under the gum line and on the crown of the tooth). 

The veterinarian may find it necessary to take x-rays to evaluate your pet's oral health. Some teeth may require extraction if badly infected. If infected teeth are left in the mouth the infection will certainly spread. The doctor also may administer a fluoride treatment to strengthen your pet's teeth, to desensitize exposed roots, and to decrease infection. 

An Once of Prevention

Dental care does not end with a visit to your veterinarian. Brushing your pet's teeth is an important part of home dental care. Brushing breaks down the daily deposit of plaque before it hardens into tartar. 

To begin a brushing routine, wrap a gauze square or wash cloth around your finger and use it like a toothbrush. Wipe all the teeth, front and back, with strokes from the gum line to the tip of the tooth. Do this once or twice a day for one to two weeks to familiarize your pet with having the gums and teeth rubbed. 

You're now ready for a "soft" toothbrush. If your pet puts up a fuss, try dipping the toothbrush in warm water and garlic salt for dogs or tuna water, for cats. Your pet will love the taste and you'll have a better response to the toothbrush. 

After your pet accepts the toothbrush, squeeze a small amount of special dog or cat toothpaste onto the brush. Never use human toothpaste, as it will irritate the dog or cat's stomach and cause foaming at the mouth or vomiting. 

Begin by brushing the front teeth. Then brush the large upper and lower teeth in the back. The bristles should be held at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface and be moved in an oval direction. Be sure to scrub in the crevice where the gums meet the teeth, as this is where odor and infection begin. Brush at least every three days; you cannot overdo this important health care step. 

Home care can be improved by feeding your pet dry pet food and offering hard biscuits after each meal. Dry food and hard biscuits produce abrasion to help keep plaque to a minimum on the crown of each tooth. 

Give your pet complete dental care. Annual veterinary dental care and home dental care will help keep your pet's breath fresh, and its gums and teeth healthy. Your pet's smile and a healthier life will be matched by your smile and pride in a job well done.