Caring for your pet's teeth

Dental care is just as important for our pets as it is for us.  Decaying teeth can cause disease, infection and an ill-tempered pet. Oral disease can cause bleeding gums, dental decay, tooth loss and the bacteria accumulation can damage your pet's heart, liver and kidneys.  However, by following a few simple steps you can ensure your pets' pearly whites.

A preventive dental program, including regular check-ups and home care, can prevent emergency dental problems for pets.  Many veterinarians realize that, as with humans, preventive dental care is the key to a healthy mouth and a quality life for pets, too.

Common signs are dark (yellow or brown) deposits on teeth, bad breath, a change in appetite, bloody gums, drainage inside the mouth or under the jaw, watery or bloody nasal drainage or excessive salivation.  Also, if a pet has an abscessed tooth, the guardian may notice swelling around the face.

Your pet's dental programs should being when they are puppies or kittens.  Have their teeth checked at their first vaccination visit so any dental problems can be taken care of right away.  If tarter or plaque are forming, the teeth should be cleaned.  Some animals need to have their teeth cleaned frequently, and some may not need it as often.  Similar to human dentistry, guardians should regularly brush their pets' teeth between checkups.  There are a variety of pet toothbrushes and toothpastes currently on the market.  If an animal resists a toothbrush, a special toothbrush designed to go on the finger may work better.  There are some specially formulated foods which clean the animal's teeth as it eats. These foods are convenient and effective, and have been proven to combat plaque and tartar build-up.

Home dental care for your pet has the same goal as home dental care for you--to remove plaque.  Plaque will mineralize to form tarter.  Plaque accumulation causes infection of the gums (gingivitis) and of the supporting bone.  Your pet depends on you to provide home dental care and regular professional examinations.

Pet Dental Care Tips:

• Brush 2-3 times per week
• Dental devices and bones help remove plaque
• Biscuits remove food debris and help freshen breath
• Visit your veterinarian for regular checkups & preventive dental program