Dental Health and Your Pet

Dental health is not only important for humans, but pets as well. A pet should have its teeth and gums checked annually to ensure a healthy mouth and help detect any problems early. Dental problems if left untreated may cause health issues for your pet. Some of the most common dental problems are very similar to people’s and include cavities, tissue inflammation and gum disease.

Brushing your pet’s teeth

Brushing your pet’s teeth may not be easy, but is a great way to help ensure the health of their teeth, gums and mouth. Regular brushings can help prevent many of the common oral issues a pet will encounter. This in turn could also help reduce trips to the vet down the road for dental problems. Not only does brushing help keep a pet’s teeth healthy, but the proper diet (more dry food, less wet) and treats formulated to help with dental health are also very beneficial.   

Health

It is important to have your pet’s teeth checked annually. This allows for early detection of a possible problem along with keeping your pet healthy.  Your pet should have its teeth checked sooner if you notice problems such as:

·      Bad breath

·      Discoloring of teeth, or excessive tartar

·      Pain around the mouth area

·      Bleeding from mouth

·      Broken/loose teeth

·      Extra teeth

·      Unusual chewing, drooling or mouth drooping

·      Refusing to eat, or reduced appetite

·      Swelling around mouth area

Veterinarian Dental Exam

When you take your pet to the veterinarian for their dental exam, it will begin with an oral examination of the pet’s teeth and gums. If needed, x-rays may be taken to help further evaluate the tooth structure unable to be seen. A thorough cleaning will then take place, and this is generally done under anesthesia to help minimize stress and ensure the safety of the pet and veterinarian. The cleaning includes similar procedures a person would experience including scaling (scraping off of tartar) followed up by polishing of the teeth.  

If you are unsure on the proper way to take care of your pet’s teeth, talk with your veterinarian. They can help instruct you on how to properly brush your pet’s teeth along with offering recommendations on dental products, foods and treats. Happy Brushing!