pets need       
Dental Care for Pets


Oral Care| Guide For 
Pet Owners
The Truth| About Pet Dental
Care Exposed
PETS Need Dental Care, Too
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 of special 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. Preventative 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 preventative program of veterinarian-supervised dental care today.

  • Bad breath
  • Yellow-brown crust on teeth
  • Bleeding gums
  • Going to the food bowl, but not eating
  • Change of chewing or eating habits
  • Tooth loss
  • Subdued behavior
  • Abnormal drooling
  • Dropping of food out of mouth
  • Swallowing food whole
      

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.

dentalcare3



TIPS On Brushing Your Pet's Teeth
  • Introduce a brushing program gradually and early; training may take several days to weeks.
  • At first, dip your finger into beef bouillon for a dog or a tuna water 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 and allow your pet to lick the bristles. Begin brushing gently at a 45o angle away from the gum line.
  • Please note: Toothpaste designed for people contains ingredients that may upset your pet's stomach

Detailed Article on Toothbrushing



STEPS to Better Oral Care

  1. VISIT YOUR VETERINARIAN 
    Every regular exam in our clinic includes a 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.

  2. 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.

  3. SCHEDULE REGULAR DENTAL CHECKUPS
    We monitor the progress of your pet's preventative 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 of oral problems, frequent examinations and cleaning may be advised