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!

Brushing Up On Pet Dental Health

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP
www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Smelly breath can be more than a nuisance.  80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three!  

When was the last time you checked your pet's teeth?  

This February is Pet Dental Health Month, and we are reminding pet owners to brush up on oral health care for their furry friends.  Being proactive can help prevent dental disease and keep your pet's teeth healthy!  Here are a few oral health care tips to help get you started on improving your pet's tooth health.

How to Care for Your Pet's Dental Health:

Schedule a Veterinary Exam

During routine, veterinary check-ups, we carefully examine your pet's teeth and gums.  You should make sure that you schedule these veterinary exams once a year.  Annual checkups help prevent health problems, including dental diseases.

Clean Teeth at Home

While we know to brush our teeth twice a day, pet owners often forget to brush their pet's teeth!  Create a tooth brushing schedule for your pet to help keep their teeth healthy.  Make sure that you use pet-friendly toothpaste.  Toothpastes with fluoride  are bad for your pet's health.

Provide Healthy Treats

You can provide your pet with formulated food that is proven to help remove plaque and tarter.  Healthy treats can help reduce your pet's risk 

of periodontal disease.

Is your pet due for a dental checkup?  Contact one of our offices below to schedule an appointment!

The Cat Hospital

877-228-4131

5th Avenue Cat Clinic

718-398-1187

Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital

718-782-8387

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Why Does Your Dog have Bad Breath?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Does your pet have bad breath?  While common, bad breath is often a sign that your pet needs better dental care.  Here are a few of the most common reason why your pet has bad breath.

Reasons for Bad Breath:

• Periodontal Disease - Just like us, pets are prone to periodontal disease.  After they are three year old, 80% of dogs and cats begin to show signs of periodontal disease.  This can cause bad breath as bacteria and plaque build.
• Teething - Puppies and kittens both have bad breath when they are teething.  Fortunately, this should only last a few months.
• Oral Disease - Gum inflammation, oral masses, and other problems with the gums can create crevices where bacteria can get stuck and grow.

The best way to prevent bad breath and keep your pet's teeth beautiful and healthy is with regular brushing.  We recommend training your pet early on so that they become used to the habit and bringing them into our practice for annual teeth cleanings.  This will help make sure that their teeth stay healthy and that you avoid smelly breath.

Check out this article for more information on why your pet is suffering from bad breath and what you can do to alleviate the issue.  You can also contact our office with any questions you may have!  

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Pet Dental Health Month: Signs of Periodontal Disease in Cats

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Happy #Caturday!

Did you know that February is Pet Dental Health Month?  Although many cat owners don't realize it, periodontal disease is a common health problem in cats.  This is especially true for cats over the age of three years old.  Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this common dental problem and keep your pet happy and healthy.

Signs to Lookout For:

• Dark red lines along the gums
• Red and swollen gums
• Ulcers on the gums or tongue
• Loose teeth
• Pus
• Difficulty chewing food
• Excessive drooling
• Excessive pawing at the mouth area

Read this article for more information on how you can keep your cat's pearly whites healthy.  If you do experience any problems with your cat's teeth, tongue or gums, give our office a call.  Our experienced, cat-friendly veterinarians can help keep your cat happy and healthy.

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