Did you know that a dog has 28 baby teeth and 42 adult teeth and a
cat has 26 baby teeth and 30 adult teeth? By the time they reach 8 months of
age all the adult teeth have emerged. Can you imagine not brushing your teeth
for 5 years, how about 10? The average dog’s lifespan is 10 years while a cat’s
is 15 years, that is a long time to not have clean teeth.
Brushing your pet’s teeth is not always easy. Starting when they
are young is a great way to get them used to having their mouth looked at,
touched and cleaned safely. Daily brushing is best since plaque hardens into
tartar in as little as 48 hours. Brushing once a week is better than not
brushing at all, but there are dental care products besides pet-safe toothpaste
and a toothbrush that help with oral health. Some of the things we stock are
MaxiGuard Gel, a gel that is applied to the gum line daily. MaxiGuard has
enzymes that work with the saliva to break down tartar. Dental Chlorhexidine
Rinse is a mouthwash that can be used 2 ways, one is to squirt directly into
the mouth and rinse out any loose debris and the other is to apply to a soft
cloth and used to wipe the teeth clean. There is also a variety of dental chews
and treats for both cats and dogs. We carry Greenies Flavor Fusion dental
treats for cats, a crunchy treat that scrapes tartar from teeth. For dogs we
have Enzy-Chews (an enzyme-coated rawhide chew), VeggieDent chews (a semi-firm,
vegetable-based chew that helps scrape the tartar and plaque from the teeth)
and Hill’s Dental Care Chews (a semi-firm, minty chew that “works like a
toothbrush and dental floss all in one”). There are also two prescription
dental diets for both cats and dogs. Hill’s T/D and Purina DH are both larger
size kibble to help clean the tooth surface. We generally recommend using them
as a treat but they are formulated to be a healthy diet for pets.
Why should you brush your pet’s teeth? Oral
disease is the most commonly diagnosed problem in small animal patients.
Studies show that as many as 80% of dogs and 70% of cats develop sings of
periodontal disease or gingivitis before they reach three years old. Without
regular cleaning, both at home and professionally, bacteria and plaque can
build up on the teeth and gums causing bad breath and gingivitis. If that
wasn't bad enough, those bacteria can get into your pet's bloodstream and cause
damage to the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys. If
those pearly whites seem more yellow than white and the gums are swollen ore
inflamed, you're looking at a plaque and tartar buildup. Are the gums red or
bleeding? That can be gingivitis, or the beginnings of more severe periodontal
diseases. Left without treatment, this can lead to oral pain or tooth loss, and
that can keep your pet from wanting to eat. Loss of appetite, excessive drooling
and loose teeth are all signs that dental disease may be affecting your pet. At
your next visit, please ask us for a hands-on lesson in providing good home
dental care for your pet.
It is not too late to start. A full dental cleaning can bring your
pet’s teeth back to a point where, with at home care, your pet’s dental health
can be improved. With improving their oral health, you help improve their all
over health.
February is Dental Health Month! Schedule a full
dental cleaning in the months of February or March and receive $25 off.
Visit our website at
www.towneandcountryveterinaryhospital.com for our most up to date offers and
rebates.
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www.facebook.com/TowneAndCountryVeterinaryHospital for holiday and
weather-related closings.