February is National Pet Dental Health Month!

Dental disease (also known as periodontal disease) is the most common clinical condition occurring in adult dogs and cats. The good news? All of the problems associated with dental disease are 100% preventable. By age three many dogs and cats will have some evidence of dental disease; and at advanced stages it can greatly impact a pets quality of life. The bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and cause heart, liver and renal complications. 

Here are the more common signs and symptoms below:

     Bad breath

     Discolored, loose or fractured teeth

     Drooling or dropping food from the mouth

     Bleeding gums, teeth with dental tartar

     Decreased appetite or weight loss 

     A reluctance to play with toys or chews.

 Periodontal disease is irreversible and will only progress; Prevention is key! Daily brushing is the best option, but unfortunately it may prove the most difficult. If your pet won’t let you brush, there are several other options that can help alleviate plaque build up almost just as well. Oravet Plaque Prevention Gel and Barrier Sealant is a gel that is  applied weekly to the gum line to form a barrier between the plaque and teeth. Oravet chews are made from the same substance as the gel but in a chewy treats form that’s given daily. C.E.T. HEXtra Premium hygiene chews are a rawhide like dental chew that is infused with chlorhexidine. They work in a mechanical sense to reduce formation of plaque and tartar on the teeth, they must be used daily. Whatever form of dental care you choose, just use it diligently to  protect your pets mouth and help them live the best and healthiest life possible. 

Planning our approach with your pet should begin with a through oral exam. Some pets will require a dental cleaning prior to beginning any preventative care measures. This dental cleaning will resolve potential sources of discomfort due to gingivitis or diseased teeth. If your pet is not in need of a dental cleaning at this point, then preventative measures will help to keep the teeth clean, gums healthy, and extend the amount of time between dental cleanings. Dental maintenance does not PREVENT the need for dental cleanings, but simply slows down the accumulation of plaque/tartar accumulation, decreases the severity of periodontal disease, and increases the time frame between dental cleanings.

You put a lot of thought into keeping your pet healthy: quality food, routine checkups, exercise, and attention. A dog has 42 permanent teeth, a cat has 30! For a healthy body, your pet needs a healthy mouth. Have you looked in your pet’s mouth lately?