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Written by Adrian Fleay
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Tuesday, 23 June 2009 16:23 |
Dogs and cats need dental care, too! Unfortunately, dental hygiene for dogs is sometimes overlooked. Many people seem to just expect their pet to have bad breath. Dental hygiene is just as important to your dog’s overall heath as things like nutrition, proper exercise and routine grooming.
Monitoring Your Dog’s Dental Health
Catching teeth problems early will help avoid severe dental disease. The simplest way to keep track of your pets’s dental health is to let your veterinarian take a look at your pets’s teeth during routine examinations, every 6-12 months.
Signs of dental disease: 
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Reluctance to chew / crying out when chewing
- Increased salivation
- Red and/or puffy gums
- Bleeding gums
- Tartar / Calculus (hard coating on teeth that is usually brown or yellow; results from plaque build-up)
- Missing and/or loose teeth
The Dangers of Dental Disease
Plaque builds up on the teeth and turns into tartar, or calculus. These areas grow bacteria and eat away at the teeth and gums. Halitosis, periodontal disease, oral pain and tooth loss can occur. However, the bacteria not only cause disease in the mouth – they can also affect other parts of the body, like the heart and kidneys. The most important thing to do is address dental disease as soon as it is detected, no matter how minor. Better yet, work hard to prevent it!
Preventing Dental Disease
There are several things you can do to help keep your pet’s teeth in good shape. Start a dental care routine as early as possible in your pets’s life so he get used to the feeling of having his teeth brushed and inspected. Our vets are happy to help create a dental program for your pet.
Some of the products available include
- Tooth and fingerbrushes and dental pastes
- oral gels
- dental "chew" treats such as canine and feline "Greenies"
- veterinary specific dental diets
Most of all: make sure you keep up with veterinary exams. A professional dental cleaning may be recommended, if your pet is older than 5 years and has never had a professional clean he/she is likely in need. This requires general anesthesia. During the procedure, your dog’s teeth and gums will be examined closely for problems. The teeth will then be scaled and polished with an ultrasonic dental scaling and polishing machine. If dental problems are noted, tooth extractions may be necessary. Some pets need dental cleanings one or more times per year, while others can go longer.
Our veterinarians will happily perform a full dental examination on your pet and advise you on the best path to happy oral health
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Last Updated on Sunday, 20 March 2011 18:55 |
