While there are many things that we do for our Pets, we may also forget how important regular dental care is for them. Here are a few facts to keep in mind when considering caring for your Pet’s teeth:
- If you have not heard, Pets benefit from many dental procedures developed for humans. However, keep in mind that these procedures do not include teeth whitening, braces, dentures, dental implants and other cosmetic dental procedures.
- Professional dental cleaning for Pets is performed under general anesthesia and Pets are recommended to have this procedure every six months to several years depending upon how quickly plaque and tartar build up on their teeth. Just like people, a Pet’s home dental care, genetics and diet helps determine professional cleaning needs.
- Gingivitis is as much of a health issue for Pets as it is for people.
- Pet toothpaste has enzymes to help break down plaque making the job of brushing the teeth at home somewhat easier. It also comes in yummy flavors like chicken and beef!
So why is dental care as important in Pet as it is in humans?
- Healthy teeth and gums have more longevity than infected or broken teeth
- Bad breath (from plaque and tartar on teeth) is just as offensive when it comes from your Pet as it would from other people
- Infected teeth hurt and cause bacteria to leech into the body via the gums. Bacteria can then damage the kidneys, heart and other organs in the body
The following are changes are great preventive measures you can take to maintain your Pet’s teeth and gums:
- Provide a good diet – good nutrition builds good teeth and gums
- Feed dry food €“ dry is less likely to stick to teeth and form tartar or plaque
- Over time train your Pet so brushing their teeth is part of regular grooming
- Schedule professional dental cleaning under anesthesia
Train Pets to allow you to look at their teeth so you can eventually brush their teeth. Start by training Pets to allow an exam of their teeth at home. Continue to work with them so eventually brushing the teeth with special Pet toothpaste is part of the hygiene and grooming done weekly or daily, depending on the individual Pet’s needs.
How is dental care for Pets different than our own?
- Toothpaste for dogs and cats includes special enzymes to help with home dental cleaning.
- Professional dental cleaning for Pets requires general anesthesia.
- Most dental care is provided by your Pet’s veterinarian, more complicated procedures such as root canals, are be referred to a veterinary dental specialists.
- All the adult teeth are present around six months of age so no wisdom teeth appear later in life.
- Flossing is not included in home dental care for Pets.
- Some Pets may not lose baby teeth properly when adult teeth come in. These need to be pulled and can often be done at the time of spay or neuter.
When doing home exams for your Pet, here’s what to look for:
- Starting with clean teeth – there is no food or gunk between teeth or close to the gums no bad odor associated with the mouth
- Then move to food and plaque (which is soft and easy to remove) build up on the teeth (just like people) that needs to be removed with regular brushing or some similar type of action
- Tartar forms as plaque hardens on the teeth-this is the stage when a professional dental cleaning is needed, brushing at home prevents more plaque hardening to build more tartar, however the existing tartar will not come off with brushing at home
- Receding and/or inflamed gums as a result of plaque and tartar buildup provide more surface area for additional plaque, food debris and tartar to hide. This in turn can put the teeth at risk of root damage that leads to tooth death, loose teeth, infected teeth
- Infected teeth leech bacteria into the body which can affect the major organs including the liver, kidneys and heart; infected teeth can become loose and eventually fall out altogether
To have your Pet’s teeth examined, check with your veterinarian. Your veterinary hospital can also assist with scheduling professional dental cleanings, make recommendations for different types of brushes that work well for the size of your Pet, provide Pet toothpaste flavored for either your cat or dog and help demonstrate how to start working with your Pet so that over time brushing with Pet toothpaste is part of regular grooming at home.
