Taking Care of your Pet’s Teeth

by Candice Lamb (Kyron Laboratories (Pty) Ltd)

Good oral hygiene in dogs & cats
 
                                 
Tooth Tartar                                              Finger Brush

We care for our own teeth – why not for our pet’s teeth? Even the best of diets cannot keep pet’s teeth clean enough to prevent plaque accumulating. 

The Importance of Oral Hygiene
Veterinary researchers have proved beyond doubt that, with inadequate oral hygiene, pets develop bad breath, plaque, then tartar (first signs: orange to brown coating on the teeth), followed by gum disease. Once this starts, infections easily enter the body and the animal can suffer from heart, liver, kidney and even eye problems. Bad breath is the least of its problems, but probably the one which you notice most!

What is Plaque?
Plaque is a colourless, sticky mixture which forms naturally and continuously on the teeth and gums.  As it builds up it can lead to mouth odour and infection.  Only regular and thorough cleaning of the tooth surface will prevent the plaque turning into tartar.

What is Tartar?
Tartar is a hard deposit found on neglected teeth and contributes to dental disease by forming a rough surface that harbours plaque. Unlike plaque, it is difficult to remove from the surface of the tooth and requires professional treatment by a veterinarian.

Warning Signs of Bad Oral Health

• Persistent bad breath;
• Drooling;
• Tartar covering part or all of tooth;
• Sensitivity around the mouth;
• Bleeding, inflamed or receded gums;
• Loose or missing teeth.

4 Ways to Good Oral Health

• Contact a veterinarian to make an appointment for a thorough oral examination.  Based on what he or she sees during the examination, it may be necessary to clean the pet’s teeth above and perhaps below the gum-line. The money paid for this procedure now will be well-spent as complications arising from poor oral health are far more costly in the long-run.
• Once the dog or cat has been given a clean bill of oral health it’s best to keep it that way.  Brushing regularly with a product like PET DENT® Toothpaste, a palatable paste especially formulated for pets, will aid in the removal of plaque and keep the breath fresh!  If, for one reason or another, it is not possible to brush the teeth, then PET DENT® Oral Gel should be applied to teeth & gums (this is especially useful for cats!).  This gel is very palatable and — although it will not remove plaque — will slow down its accumulation, control bad breath, and prolong the time between dental visits to the veterinarian.
• Rawhide chews can be useful as an aid in slowing down accumulation of plaque.
• Schedule an oral check-up with the veterinarian at least once a year — to ensure that the pet’s teeth are kept in tip-top shape and health-related problems stemming from poor oral hygiene are avoided.