Pet Oral Health

Do you brush your pet's teeth?

We often pay attention to our own oral health, but neglect the dental care of our pets. Most people brush their teeth at least once a day, but many pet owners rarely or almost never brush their pets' teeth, sometimes even once every two weeks. I completely understand your concerns: "My dog ​​resists brushing his teeth very much" and "My cat may bite me if I brush her teeth."

However, in general, pets' dental health and oral hygiene are often less than ideal. Sadly, dirty teeth can cause many health problems. In fact, the solution is very simple, and most cats and dogs won’t be too resistant.

The buildup of dental plaque and tartar can cause serious problems

Pets’ mouths, just like ours, contain a lot of bacteria. The moist environment in the mouth combined with food residue promotes the growth of bacteria and forms dental plaque on the tooth surface. Pets can remove this dental plaque by brushing their teeth and chewing hard foods and toys.

The accumulation of dental plaque can cause several significant problems. First, bacteria break down food left in the mouth to produce acids that dissolve enamel, leading to tooth decay over time. Secondly, the dental plaque will gradually harden and form yellow-gray calculus. Tartar acts like a sponge, harboring bacteria, leading to gingivitis, bacterial infection, and ultimately tooth loss. Tartar is difficult to brush off and must be removed through a professional dental cleaning by a veterinarian. Dental plaque, tartar, and bacteria can also cause bad breath. Oral diseases can allow bacteria to enter the blood system, and in severe cases can even cause blood poisoning and infect other organs, such as the kidneys and heart.

Simple ways to keep your teeth clean

Keeping your pet's teeth healthy doesn't have to be difficult. There are some simple ways to help you maintain your pet's oral health and prevent cavities.

Assess Dental Condition : Start by assessing your pet’s teeth. If the teeth are white, the gums are pink, and there is only a small amount of light yellow or gray tartar, it means that the oral hygiene is good, and prevention and health care are the best methods at this time. If your teeth are severely damaged, black or have significant yellow or brown tartar, your gums are red, swollen and painful, or you have severe bad breath, further veterinary treatment is needed. Other common symptoms of dental disease include pain in the mouth, frequent rubbing of the corners of the mouth, drooling, or a refusal to eat dry or hard foods. If you have any questions, please consult your veterinarian.

Don’t use human toothpaste : Dental care and prevention are the best ways to protect the health of your pet’s teeth and gums. Brushing your teeth is a good option. When brushing, remember to brush your front teeth and back molars, and use pet-specific toothpaste. Human toothpaste contains artificial sweeteners such as xylitol, which are toxic to pets.

What should you do if your pet doesn’t like brushing its teeth?

Many pets don't like brushing, but there are many alternatives. You can put a few drops of dental cleaning gel on both sides of the mouth and let your pet lick and clean it themselves. These gels contain no harsh chemicals or bleaching agents and clean your teeth without the need for brushing.

In addition, dental cleaning toys or snacks are also good choices. Many toys and treats can encourage your pet to chew, thus cleaning their teeth. You can choose some natural tooth cleaning sticks, such as venison strips, kangaroo tendons or antlers, etc. These snacks are delicious and can help clean teeth. It also encourages pets to chew while playing.

You can also choose some veterinary prescription foods designed specifically for dental cleaning, such as Hills t/d and Royal Canin Dental. These foods contain specific ingredients that allow your pet to naturally clean their teeth as they eat.

Regular dental cleanings at the veterinary clinic are necessary

Even with good care at home, most pets still need regular dental cleanings. After the veterinarian evaluates the condition of the teeth, a special ultrasonic scaler will be used to remove dirt, dental plaque, and tartar from the teeth. If the tooth is severely damaged or cannot be repaired, your veterinarian may recommend extraction of the damaged tooth. After removal, pets usually feel better and eating habits are not affected.

Ultrasonic teeth cleaning requires general anesthesia, because the veterinarian requires the cat and dog to sit quietly for about half an hour and open their mouths obediently for teeth cleaning. At the same time, anesthesia prevents your pet from swallowing or inhaling fragments or remains of the tooth. The procedure under general anesthesia is very safe and the only method that can effectively clean and repair teeth. After cleaning your teeth, please cooperate with your daily oral care to prevent tartar from forming again.

Dental problems are very common, yet often overlooked. Oral health is very important to the overall health of your pet. Keeping the mouth clean has significant benefits for the teeth, gums and overall health, and prevents bacteria from spreading to other areas. If you have questions about your pet's dental care or oral assessment, your veterinarian will be happy to advise on the best oral care regimen for your pet.