Why is it important to have your pet’s teeth cleaned?

     Even with daily brushing or dental chews, plaque and tartar still buildup.  If not removed, this buildup can lead to periodontal disease and even more serious health problems. 

 

What are plaque and tartar?

     Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria.  If left alone, plaque builds up causing oral infection and destroys gums and eventually results in the loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth (periodontal disease). A dental cleaning helps remove plaque and harmful bacteria.  Studies show that the bacteria found in oral infections are the same bacteria that contribute to heart valve failure, liver and kidney damage.

     Tartar is plaque that has mineralized into a hard covering on the tooth.

 

MORE THAN 80% OF DOGS HAVE PERIODONTAL DISEASE BY THE TIME THEY ARE 4 YEARS OLD.

 

Periodontal disease can also lead to:                                 Other common dental problems:

Red swollen gums (Gingivitis)                                          Broken or chipped teeth

Loose teeth                                                                         Over bite  OR under bite

Missing teeth                                                                      Retained baby (deciduous) teeth

Bleeding gums

Bad breath

 

Because your pet will be placed under anesthesia to fully clean it's teeth -

 

It will need to be fasting before the procedure.  Therefore we ask you bring you in the night before.  We will need to check blood work.  Because your pet cannot tell us how it feels and examination alone cannot detect symptoms of disease, we must run certain blood tests to help reduce any risk to your pet while under anesthesia.  If these results are not within the normal limits, we may be able to alter the anesthetic procedure to safeguard your pet's health.

 

We may not know the full extent of your pet's oral wellness until under anesthesia.  Therefore, some further procedures may need to be done (pull teeth, remove questionable gum tissue, dispense antibiotics) and we ask for your permission to do what is in your pet’s best interest.

 

Post-dentistry care:

Finish all antibiotics as prescribed by the Veterinarian

Brush teeth daily with Dog/Cat toothpaste (DO NOT use human toothpaste)

Continue to feed hard, crunchy food instead of canned

There are wonderful dental diets available that have proven to reduce the amount on tartar buildup with just the food alone.

Use enzymatic chews or oral rinses

Have teeth examined by the Veterinarian at least twice every year.

 

How to begin brushing your pet’s teeth…

 

Do you know that brushing can extend the life of a new puppy or kitten by 2 to 6 years?

 

Over 85% of adult dogs and cats suffer from periodontal disease.  This can be prevented with daily dental care.

 

To begin brushing…

1)      Begin gradually.  Day 1 all you need to do is get your puppy or kitty to taste the toothpaste.  Use an excited voice and “pump them up” for their tooth brushing experience.  It should be FUN and yummy!  After they have tasted the toothpaste, praise them.  Remember, this needs to be a positive experience.

2)      On the 2^nd day, start to rub the incisors with your finger and paste (be careful-if there is a chance of you getting bit, do not do this!).  Each day, increase the amount of gums and number of teeth you are brushing.

3)      Once they allow you to massage well with your finger, you can graduate to the finger brush or toothbrush.  You should eventually use the toothbrush, as it is more abrasive than the finger brush and does a more complete job.

4)      Choose the same time of day to make it part of your pet’s – and your – daily habit.  Many pets come running when it is time for their dental “treat.”

 

Dogs and cats accumulate plaque 5 times faster than humans – imagine going 5 days without brushing your teeth!  That is what is happening inside your pet’s mouth on a daily basis.

 

1 mg of dental plaque contains over 1 trillion bacteria!  These spread to the heart, liver, and kidneys too.

 

Many people think they don’t need to brush their pet’s teeth because they have yearly dentals done on their pets.  Imagine going to your dentist to have your teeth cleaned, then not brushing until the next time you visit your dentist.

 

Always use toothpaste designed for pets only.  Pets cannot have human toothpaste because it is made to be spit out, not swallowed.  They can get sick from swallowing the fluoride.

 

Please ask for assistance if you don’t understand how to brush your pet’s teeth.  We are happy to show you how!

We carry toothbrushes, toothpaste (malt, mint, poultry flavors), and dental chews to help in oral hygiene for your pets.