PETS
Need Dental Care, Too
TM
For
most of us, caring for our teeth and gums
has been part of our daily routine for as
long as we can remember. Just like you, your
pet needs dental care too - regular,
professional care from your veterinarian and
home care from you to keep plaque removed.
Daily brushing and feeding special pet foods
can help.
CAUSES
Of
Periodontal Disease
Plaque is a colorless film that contains
large amounts of bacteria. If left
unchecked, plaque builds up, creating
infection, destroying gums and resulting in
the loss of the tissues and bone that
support the teeth. Preventive oral care can
reduce the formation of plaque and help
maintain proper oral health throughout your
pet's life.
SIGNS
Of
Periodontal Disease
All
pets are at risk for developing dental
problems. Once your pet displays any of the
warning signs below, serious periodontal
disease may be present. Don't wait for these
signs. Start a preventive program of
veterinarian-supervised dental care today.
Bad breath
Tooth loss
Yellow-brown crust on teeth
Subdued behavior
Abnormal drooling
Bleeding gums
Dropping food out of the mouth
Going to the food bowl, but not eating
Swallowing food whole
Change of chewing or eating
habits
CONTRIBUTING
Factors
Poor Oral Hygiene:
Ignoring the condition of your pet's mouth
can lead to periodontal disease, tooth loss,
and other serious health problems, such as
heart, liver and kidney failure.
Breed:
Periodontal disease is more common in
smaller breeds of dogs and certain breeds of
cats.
Age:
Periodontal disease is more common as pets
grow older.
TIPS
On Brushing Your Pet's Teeth
Introduce a brushing program gradually and
early; training may take several days or
weeks.
At first, dip your finger into beef
bouillon for a dog or tuna water for a cat
and rub your finger over the pet's mouth and
teeth.
Make these initial sessions brief and
positive.
Introduce gauze on your finger with the
same beef or tuna flavor and begin rubbing
the teeth in a circular motion.
Before graduating to a soft bristle
toothbrush, put a small amount of toothpaste
specifically designed for pets on your
finger and allow the pet to taste it.
Finally, apply a small dab of pet
toothpaste on a moist toothbrush and allow
your pet to lick the bristles. Begin
brushing gently at a 45ฐangle away from the
gumline.
Please note: Toothpaste designed for
people contains ingredients that may upset
your pet's stomach.
FOOD
and Dental Care
In addition to brushing, good oral health may also
require a pet food specially formulated
to clean teeth, such as Hill'sฎ
Prescription Dietฎ t/dฎ pet food. The
food helps ensure your pet receives good
oral care every day.
STEPS
to Better Oral Care
-
VISIT YOUR VETERINARIAN
Every regular exam in our clinic
includes a thorough dental exam.
If we find signs of disease, we will
recommend a treatment plan. It is
important for the overall health of your
pet that we take care of any dental
problems we find. We will also
recommend a home care plan that is a key
part of keeping your pet healthy.
-
START AN ORAL CARE ROUTINE AT HOME
Plaque should be removed from your pet's
teeth every day before it mineralizes
into tartar. Brushing your pet's
teeth properly each day will remove
plaque buildup. In addition, you
can feed specially formulated foods that
help reduce the accumulation of plaque
and tartar from teeth. Ask us
about the best methods of home care for
your pet.
-
SCHEDULE REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS
We monitor the progress of your pet's
preventive program, so regular dental
checkups are essential, just as
twice-a-year checkups are important for
people. For pets that form tartar
quickly or those with a history or oral
problems, frequent examinations and
cleanings may be advised.
Always look for the VOHCฎ
Seal of Acceptance
on products for dental health. The
seal indicates proven efficacy in
controlling plaque and tartar.
