Dental Prevention for Pets Helps to Protect Teeth and Health

February is Pet Dental Health Month, but dental health is important every month. It is easy to forget to care for your pet's teeth and gums, but neglecting oral care when pets are young can result in health problems later in life. Start dental care early so your pet can have healthy teeth and gums for their entire life.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show some signs of oral disease by the age of three. Symptoms of oral disease include bad breath, tartar build-up, swollen gums, receding gums, bleeding gums, fractured teeth and a change in eating habits.

Periodontal infections affect the health beyond the mouth and can have serious consequences. According to the AVDS, periodontal infections have been linked to diabetes, stroks, heart attacks, kidney disease and other life threatening disorders.

Prevention, including tooth brushing and regular veterinary visits, is the best cure for dental disease. Your veterinarian is the best source of information about dental care, as they can examine the teeth and mouth and make recommendations based upon their observations of your own pet's oral health.

Like people, animals seem to have different levels of dental health. Some people just seem to be born with poor teeth and a tendency to develop cavities and gum disease. Dental care is inportant for all animals, but some animals may need more attention to dental care than others.

Most of my dogs have had pretty healthy teeth, but one dog, Princess. developed a lot of tartar and gum disease. She lived to be 16 years old, but she had to have unhealthy teeth pulled over the years, and ended up having an unsightly gap in the front of her teeth.

Sad to say, some of her problems could have been prevented with better attention to her dental health when she was a puppy. After noticing her dental problems, my vet gave me a dental brush that fit over the finger, and special canine toothpaste. Princess was resistant to having her teeth brushed, because it was so strange to her. If I had started working with her teeth and mouth when she was a puppy, she would probably been more cooperative about getting her teeth brushed and her gums massaged.

Pet owners should start working with their pets when they are young so they can get used to having their owners work with their mouth at an early age. Owners should keep a regular schedule of brushing the teeth, so dogs are used to the work.

Use a special toothpaste for canines. The toothpaste humans use may upset their stomachs. There are toothpastes that are flavored like chicken paste, which a dog is more likely to enjoy than toothpaste designed for humans. Your vet can recommend a canine toothpaste and give instructions about how to use the brush.

Dog treats can also be a great help on cutting down on the tartar buildup. There are specially designed dental treats that specifically target the tartar buildup while your pet is chewing. My vet had an excellent brand that he prescribed but there are several brands of oral care treats now on the market. It is much easier to get your pet to chew on a biscuit then it is to brush their teeth. The only downside to the biscuits is that they also provide calories, so if you are watching your dog's weight the quantity should be kept in check. Diets for Overweight Dogs

Dental care is important for pets. If you pet gets an infected tooth, or toothache, they may not know how to let you know there is a problem. Regular checkups by a veterinarian should uncover special needs. Basic preventative measure, such as oral care and treats that cut down on tartar, can go a long way in keeping your pet healthy.