You Want me to Brush What?
Thanks to preventative medicine, our pets are living longer, healthier lives. With better ways to diagnose and treat many diseases now the most common problem seen in today’s animals are dental problems. To help prevent oral disease, which is the number one health problem diagnosed in pets, it is essential to provide our pets with good dental care. The three most common dental diseases found in dogs and cats are plaque, tartar, and periodontal disease.
Plaque: Cats and dogs rarely get cavities, however they are much more prone to gum disease and excess tartar buildup on the teeth than humans. This is because food particles and bacteria collect along the gumline and form plaque. Now, with routine home dental care this plaque can easily be removed.
Tartar: When the plaque is not removed, the minerals in saliva combine with plaque to form tartar (or calculus), which sticks strongly to the teeth. The plaque will start to mineralize 3-5 days after it forms. Tartar will irritate the gums and cause inflammation, better known as gingivitis. This causes the gums to redden adjacent to the teeth, along with bad breath. Once tartar is formed, it is best to have a professional cleaning done by your veterinarian. They will use special instruments to remove the plaque and then polish the teeth making it more difficult for plaque to stick to them.
Periodontal disease: If the tartar is not removed, it will build up under the gums. It will separate the gums from the teeth and form “pockets”. Pockets encourage even more bacteria to grow. At this point the damage is irreversible, and called periodontal disease. It can be very painful and can lead to the loss teeth, abscesses, and bone loss or infection. As the bacteria continues to grow and increase, the bacteria can even enter the bloodstream. This can lead to infection of the heart valves (endocarditis), liver, and kidneys. If treated by your veterinarian, periodontal disease can be slowed or stopped.
What is included in a good dental care program?
Dental care for your pet does not have to be difficult. Here are four steps that, when performed regularly, will do the most to give your pet good oral health.
1. Have your pet’s teeth and gums evaluated and cleaned by your veterinarian on a regular basis, just like you would your own.
2. Brush your pet’s teeth regularly with toothpaste specifically designed for them.
3. If you cannot brush, use a bacteria-killing dental solution or use a dental cleaning pad daily.
4. Another great way to help keep your pet’s teeth healthy is to give your pet teeth-cleaning toys, such as rawhide and other dental treats.
If you follow these four steps we guarantee that your pet will come home with better oral checkups and come check out Smile Warehouse’s great selection of oral care products for pets!
