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National Dental Health MonthFeb 2nd, 2010
Why is Pet Dental Care Important?
Dental care is very important to the overall health of your pet. In recent years, dental care for dogs and cats has been greatly improved through several different technologies. For instance we can now x-ray your pet’s teeth to look for underlying problems, just like your dentist does for you. We can help you choose products to care for your pet’s teeth at home. Ask us to help you develop a home care dental program for your pet.
Dental Plaque and Calculus
Just like humans, dogs and cats accumulate plaque build-up on their teeth. You and I take many positive actions to prevent this, like brushing and flossing. With your pet, if the plaque isn’t removed from the teeth, it hardens into Calculus. The bacteria within this substance causes gingivitis, which is a reversible irritation of the gums. This is the time to have your pets teeth cleaned by your veterinarian. If regular home dental care and regular cleanings by your veterinarian are not done, gingivitis can rapidly progress to periodontitis.
Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is a serious problem affecting 90% of dogs over 5 years of age. This disease progresses as the bacteria attach the gums, ligaments and even the bone that help support the teeth and keep them in place. This bacteria will be released into the blood stream as the dog or cat eats and swallows. Once in the blood stream, it can travel throughout the body and can cause infections in the kidneys, the liver, and even the heart. As the pets body constantly fights the bacteria, it can weaken the immune system and leave them open to other infections and problems.
Prevention
Brushing - This can be accomplished with a soft washcloth, or a soft pediatric tooth brush, or a finger brush.
Toothpaste - You can’t use human toothpaste with your pet because they will swallow it! There are several special products that you can purchase that are safe to use, and will taste good to your cat or dog too!
Sealant - We currently carry a product called “OraVet”. This product is a sealant that you can apply to your pet’s teeth weekly that can dramatically reduce the amount of plaque and tartar that accumulate.
Diet - There is a diet made by Hills called T/D. This diet is very hard and crunchy. It is specially designed to scrape the plaque from the teeth with every bite! You can give these as treats, or use it as your pets complete diet.
Treats- There are several different treats that we recommend that will help your pets teeth. For cats, there are the CET Chews, and for dogs, there are CET Chews or you can use the T/D diet! We do not recommend rawhide. It can cause some stomach upset and can also be a choking hazard!
Toys - There are many different toys on the market that can help with dental care. “Rope Bones” made out of knotted cloth can actually “floss” the teeth, and Nylabones are a good alternative to rawhide because pieces cannot break off. If you have any questions about specific toys, please ask!
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