It’s National Pet Teeth Cleaning Month and it’s also the time of the month for us to share some tips on how to take care of your pet’s teeth. Aside from providing food, shelter and grooming, it is also important to pay attention to our pet’s dental health. Despite the fact that our dogs or cats teeth are not as prone to cavities unlike human beings, their teeth can build up dental problems that can be life threatening. We should worry about tartar and plaque build up that can cause discomfort and problems like bad breath, gum issues and permanent loss of teeth. How do you know if your pet needs dental cleaning? There are signs that you should watch out and have a regular check up to see these signs so you can take action as early as possible. If you see a brownish-gold substance near the gum line suggest Tartar build up. If there’s a bleeding or redness in the gum line maybe a sign of gingivitis. Bad breath, excessive drooling, difficulty in eating, pawing at the mouth or face, missing or misaligned teeth are also signs that you should take notice. If there are signs that may indicate a dental problem to your pet’s teeth, it is best to schedule an appointment to your veterinarian as soon as possible.
To avoid frequent dental visit, regular dental hygiene can start from home. Start as young as possible for your pets to be more comfortable with teeth cleaning. It is possible to do teeth cleaning at home but with one important rule, that is to NEVER use a human’s toothpaste for your pets. It contains fluoride that can be poison your pet so find toothpaste that is specifically made for your pet’s teeth. Right diet helps to avoid dental problems too. For cats, it is good to give them combination of wet and dry food, but for dogs, dry food is much better because soft food may stick to their teeth and cause decay. Chew sand treats can help getting rid of the build up but they are not effective without the proper teeth cleaning and healthy diet. Giving your cats or dogs bones can help too but be careful in giving them bones that can break easily and can cause mouth or internal injuries.
According to statistics, there are about 85% of all the pets have periodontal diseases when they reach the age of 3. It would be advisable to let the professional do the dental cleaning to remove any dental problems and for them to be able assess the health of the mouth. But how often should you clean your dog or cat’s teeth? Most veterinarians recommend at least once or twice a year for a thorough dental cleaning. But for some breeds, it requires more visit to your professional dental cleaner. Be mindful that a thorough cleaning of your pet’s teeth requires anesthesia but your pets need to be assessed first if he/she is healthy enough to undergo this procedure. Our pets are members of our family too and we should take care of them. A happy pet means a happy life as well. With early prevention, right diet and proper care we can assure happy and healthy lives with our beloved pets.