Dental disease is more than just a cosmetic issue — when
your canine companion or feline friend has red gums, yellow teeth and stinky
breath, it could be a sign of serious oral disease that could, if left
untreated, lead to devastating affects on your pet’s quality of life.
Neglecting your pet’s teeth and gums can cause chronic pain issues that may
even be at the center of certain behavioral problems.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reports
80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats have some kind of oral disease by the
age of 3.
But never fear, pet owners — February is National Pet
Dental Health Month, so now is the perfect time to call your veterinarian and
schedule a dental check up for your furry family members.
“We hope National Pet Dental Health Month in February will
draw attention to this serious health issue for pets,” said California
Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) President Dr. Jeff Smith. “Oral disease
can lead to serious consequences for pets, including infection, severe pain and
even organ damage. With regular oral health maintenance and check-ups, most of
these problems can be avoided.”
Caring for your pet’s pearly whites isn’t just a February
thing; veterinarians all across the country want to remind pet owners that their
pet’s dental health should be a concern all year long.
“Between regular veterinary examinations, pet owners should
look for the warning signs of gum disease such as bad breath, red and swollen
gums, yellow-brown crusts of tartar along the gum lines, and bleeding or pain
when the gums or mouth are touched,” Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. chief
veterinary medical officer Dr. Carol McConnell recommends.
Pets with developing gingivitis and periodontal diseases
often paw at their face or mouth frequently, have excessive drool, and may
exhibit an unwillingness to eat harder foods.
As with many health issues, prevention is always the best
medicine. One way you can take a proactive role in preventing oral disease in
your pet is by using an important tool that many pet owners neglect to purchase
for their four-legged friends: a toothbrush.
“Unfortunately, only about 1 percent of pet owners brush
their pets teeth,” explains Academy of Veterinary Dentistry President Dr. Brook
A. Niemic.
A soft-bristled toothbrush should be used to clean your
pet’s teeth daily to remove any food particles and prevent the build up of
tartar and plaque deposits. Make sure to only use toothpaste that is specially
formulated for use on pets.
Overall health begins with a good diet, but did you know
that many dental health issues are caused by malnutrition? Work with your
veterinarian to address your pet’s nutrition and develop a healthy eating plan.
Foods with the Veterinary Oral Health Care (VOHC) seal of approval are highly
recommended.
Your veterinarian may recommend a professional teeth
cleaning for your dog or cat once or twice a year or as needed. Performing a
thorough oral exam can sometimes require the use of general anesthesia. Your
veterinarian will use instruments to scale and polish your pet’s teeth,
removing tartar and plaque build up that could otherwise lead to dental issues.
In cases of serious oral disease, your veterinarian may recommend a tooth
extraction. You can also find many dental clinics depending on where you live
that offer dental cleanings at a discounted rate like the Smile Specialists in
Southern California.
Keeping on top of your pet’s dental health has lasting
positive effects — some studies suggest that maintaining oral health can add up
to five years to your pet’s life.
