Imagine how your health would be affected if you didn’t brush your own teeth and didn’t visit the dentist!! Anywhere between 60 - 80 % of pets have some degree of dental disease. Caring for your pet’s teeth may be one of the most important things you can do to improve and maintain their overall health and save you costly dental bills.

What is Dental Disease??

Dental disease starts with the build up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. This leads to gingivitis (red inflamed gums) which then leads to gingival recession (where the gums start to loosen from the edge of the root). From there you can get damage to the jawbone and eventual tooth loss.

Crowding of teeth, dry mouths (eg. open mouth breathing dogs such as Yorkies), malocclusion, retained baby teeth, hair around the mouth (eg. Schnauzers) and abnormally formed teeth all predispose pets to dental disease. These problems are more common in smaller breed dogs but can occur in any dog or cat.

Increased age, stress and illness can increase the rate of development of dental disease.

What are the possible signs of dental disease??

	bad breath
	rubbing the face
	poor self grooming
	nasal discharge
	decreased chewing
	soft food preference
	pawing at the mouth
	teeth chatter or grinding
	difficulty picking up food and toys
	hesitancy to open or close the mouth
	unusual passive/aggressive behavior
	head or mouth handling shyness
	constant nose licking

What can YOU do to improve your pet’s dental health??

Brush his/her teeth. Yes, brushing your pet’s teeth is one of the most important things you can do to improve their health. The number one reason pets develop dental disease is a lack of at home tooth care. The basis of preventing and slowing dental disease is controlling plaque at the gum margins. Hard food diets for dogs, rawhide chews and toys are helpful but do not completely remove tartar. Cereal biscuits can help decrease calculus buildup but have too many calories and may result in nutrient imbalances. Contrary to popular opinion cat teeth do not benefit from hard foods. Tooth brushing is the most effective means of removing plaque.

Pets benefit from regular dental check-ups by a veterinarian, just as you benefit from visits to your dentist. You will be advised if a professional cleaning is required. During a professional cleaning your pet will be anesthetized to allow a thorough exam and cleaning. Hand and ultrasonic instruments will be used to clean the teeth. The gum line will be closely probed for pockets. The teeth will then be polished to make a smooth surface and remove microplaque debris, making it more difficult for plaque to adhere. Teeth may need to be extracted. There are veterinary dental specialists that are trained in more advanced dental techniques to which clients and their pets may be referred.

How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Start with a cloth or gauze covered finger. As pets become more comfortable with having their mouths handled move up to a soft rubber finger brush. Whenever possible it is best to graduate up to a toothbrush as this will give you the best plaque removal. Start cleaning the teeth for only a couple of minutes. As your pet becomes more tolerant of this increase the length of time that you brush the teeth until you can clean all the teeth in one session.

Helpful Hints

	Introduce brushing slowly with lots of PRAISE!!
	Use a toothpaste designed for pets-these are usually flavored and are safe for pets to swallow

Don’t use human toothpastes – fluoride is meant to be spat out.  Too much fluoride is toxic

	Concentrate on the large molars and canines
	Be patient and persistence

Don’t attempt to scale your pet’s teeth with hand scalers

In an ideal world your pet’s teeth should be brushed daily

Why Bother??

Without proper care your pet’s teeth will decay and ultimately lead to teeth and jaw bone loss. Dental disease doesn’t just effect your pet’s teeth - bacteria in accumulated plaque and calculus finds its way into the heart, liver, kidneys and lungs. Dental disease is uncomfortable and often painful to your pet. Simple preventative measures such as home brushing and regular dental checkups can decrease the incidence of dental disease and reduce the need for veterinary intervention and professional cleanings.

Trivia Corner

	Dogs have 28 baby teeth and 42 permanent teeth.
	Cats have 26 baby teeth and 30 permanent teeth.