February is for Dental Health
Did you know, dental disease is the most common health problem occurring in adult dogs and cats? By the age of 2, up to 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have some level of periodontal disease. Bad breath is the most common effect of dental disease noted by owners, however there is much more going on than just bad breath when your pet suffers from dental disease. Dental disease includes gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (loss of bone and soft tissue around the teeth). There is a wide range in the appearance and severity of periodontal disease, which often cannot be properly evaluated or treated without general anesthesia. Dental disease begins when bacteria in the mouth form a substance called plaque that sticks to the surface of the teeth. Then, minerals found in saliva harden the plaque into dental tartar. The major problem develops as plaque and tartar spread under the gum line. Bacteria in this ‘sub-gingival’ plaque causes the gums to become irritated, leading to bleeding and oral pain. Dental disease can be very painful and negatively impact your pet’s overall health.
Don't worry, there are many things we can do with our pets at home to help slow the progression of dental disease!
A routine program of at home dental care is required to ensure that your pet maintains a healthy mouth. Did you know that dental home care should start when the permanent teeth erupt? (usually around the time of the last puppy or kitten series vaccinations) Begin brushing your pet's teeth today! It's never too late to start!
There are several options available when considering what homecare will work best for you and your pet. Incorporating brushing the teeth, special dental diets, special chewable dental treats, water additives, oral health wipes, oral gels, or even special dental toys into your pet's daily routine can positively impact their oral health. Studies show that if we can use a combination of owner applied products (such as toothpaste/wipes/etc) and animal applied products (such as dental diets/chews/water additives/etc) the end result will be much more effective. You could even put an enzymatic pet toothpaste onto a dental kong for your pet to chew on, this will give more contact time of the toothpaste on the teeth and aid in keeping those teeth in tip top shape. Please discuss with our veterinary care team for more information.
The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) awards a Seal of Acceptance for products that successfully meet preset criteria for effectiveness in controlling plaque and/or tartar build up in dogs and cats. The VOHC seal requires a percentage of efficacy, the same as the American Dental Association, so whenever possible try to choose products that have the VOHC seal on them.
We provide you with the services you need to manage and protect your pet's oral health, including dental cleanings and even extractions when necessary.
Give our office a call and we would be happy to discuss our personalized recommendations for your pet with you!