February Is Dental Health Month for Pets
When we think of February, we think of Valentine's Day - mostly chocolate and roses. After Halloween and maybe Christmas, Valentine's Day is probably the 2nd or 3rd biggest month for candy sales. Maybe all that candy and sugar should have us thinking about teeth.
Pets don't eat sugar in the massive amounts that we do (thankfully), so they don't get cavities as we do. What they do get is bacteria, plaque that hardens into tartar and makes a home for more bacteria to live in. It is normal to have some bacteria in the mouth. But bacteria gone wild leads to bad breath and, worse, damage to the gums that support the teeth and the teeth themselves. Once bacteria get into the blood, either through the blood vessels in the gums or the innermost core of the tooth, they can travel throughout the body, causing harm to the kidneys, liver, and heart. This is true for us as well as our pets.
Most pets show signs of dental disease by 3 years of age, such as bad breath, red, swollen, or bleeding gums, and tartar buildup. More severe symptoms include loose teeth, abscesses or infections, excessive drooling, dropping food or toys, or refusing to eat or play with toys due to dental pain. Most dogs will eat regardless of the pain in their mouths. They silently suffer because the need to eat to survive is so strong.
What Can You Do to Help Your Pet?
First and foremost, visit your vet regularly for a dental checkup. Your vet can advise the appropriate care for the level of dental disease your pet is dealing with. Many fear having their pets undergo regular dental cleanings because it requires anesthesia. They worry about the risks of having their pet put under. This is another conversation with your veterinarian because not taking care of dental issues risks your pet's health. Anesthesia is required to allow their head and mouth to be positioned and held still for X-rays and cleaning. X-rays are necessary to check the teeth' roots and look for infection and breaks below the gum line.
3 Tips to Lessen the Need for Frequent Cleanings
You can do some things at home to lessen the need for frequent cleanings.
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Get your pet used to having his mouth looked at. Make it a positive experience for him with treats and gentle handling. Have your vet show you how to do this safely because a pet in pain may bite.
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Regular teeth brushing is your most effective weapon against dental disease because it will remove plaque before it hardens into tartar. Less effective are dental treats, water additives, special foods, and bones. There are all kinds of toothbrushes for dogs. The soft rubber nubby ones you put on the end of your finger are great for getting puppies used to dental care. The long-handled toothbrushes keep your hands out of the mouth while the 3 sided ones brush all the surfaces of the tooth at once. Which one to use depends on what you and your pet prefer.
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Use pet-safe toothpaste! Human toothpaste contains fluoride, which should not be swallowed. Since pets can't rinse and spit as we do, pet toothpaste is fluoride-free and safe to swallow. Pet toothpaste is also flavored for them to enjoy. Again find one your pet seems to like. I have one dog who prefers the Petsmile London Broil flavor and her mother likes Tropiclean Enticers Peanut Butter and Honey flavor. Just make sure your chosen product is safe for your pet. Since many essential oils are toxic to cats, some natural dental gels that may be safe for dogs may NOT be safe for cats.
How Often Should You Brush Your Pet's Teeth?
Dental plaque takes 24 - 72 hours to turn into tartar. So, ideally, you should brush your pet's teeth once a day. It's also easier to remember if you do it daily and make it a routine, like every night before bed. There is just no substitute for brushing that plaque off the teeth. Tropiclean Enticers reportedly can be placed on the teeth without brushing and still have an effect. I've been trying that with daily applications for my older dog. While I have noticed her breath is a little less, um, strong, she still has plaque turning into tartar, so we are back to brushing.
If You Have a Small Dog or a Flat-Faced Breed, Make Dental Care a Priority
Dogs with small or flattened muzzles have less room for teeth, and crowding means more places for food and bacteria to hide. Crowded mouths are more likely to have teeth that don't line up properly. That can mean pain from teeth pressing on each other, difficulty eating, chipped and broken teeth from striking each other, and wounds in the mouth caused by teeth that hit the gums of the opposite jaw.
Studies have found that these small and flat-faced breeds are much more likely to suffer from dental diseases than large breeds with large muzzles.
There are, however, some breeds with other complicating factors. For example, Mastiffs are prone to gingival hyperplasia, which means their gum tissue becomes overgrown, overlapping the teeth and creating more places for bacteria to hide. Overweight dogs are more likely to have dental disease regardless of breed. Dogs who chew on hard items like antlers or like to play with rocks are more likely to chip or break a tooth. Small chips can be sealed, but badly damaged teeth may need to be removed.
Again, consult your veterinarian for recommendations on diets, water additives, chew items, breed-specific concerns to watch for, and recommended dental care products and practices. Have your pet's teeth examined at least once a year by a veterinarian, or more often if recommended, and work together to formulate a plan to keep your pet's teeth clean. A clean mouth contributes to an overall clean bill of health!
Here are some useful websites with research and information: