Thanks to all of the new preventive medicine we can count on, our pets live longer, healthier lives, so much so that now a number of the very severe medical problems pets may have are related to their dental health. Fixing our pet’s teeth routinely can make a massive difference in their health and well-being. By regularly, I mean daily but don’t worry, as soon as you get a hang of it, it should not take you over a few minutes. Remember, however, that even if you provide them daily house cleaning, you need to always take your pet to the vet at least one time every year for a complete checkup, and when needed, professional teeth cleaning.
Cats and dogs don’t get cavities frequently, if at all, however, they do get gum disease, and tartar can build up excessively on the tooth. That is the principal reason to provide good dental care. If plaque isn’t removed in two to five days, it transforms into tartar, which has adhered to the teeth and it is not quite as simple to eliminate. Tartar irritates the gums, which is what causes gingivitis. You should test for reddening of the gums around the teeth and bad breath.
Once tartar has developed, the cleaning should be performed by your vet that can remove the tartar and then polish the tooth. When the tartar builds up under the gums, then it causes a separation of the teeth from the teeth and forms pockets, where more germs can grow. Now, they’ve developed periodontal disease. Besides being very debilitating, this may cause tooth loss, abscesses, and infections. As the bacteria increases, it may even get to the bloodstream, which may result in an infection of the liver, the kidneys, or the heart valves. Only your veterinarian can stop the advance or stop the disease. Learn more like this.
Thus, what kind of dental hygiene if you supply your pets?
Take your pet to the vet for routine checkups, which should include dental examinations. Have their teeth cleaned by the vet at least once, and then follow up with routine home dental care. As I’ve mentioned, your pet needs routine dental care at home, but to get a good start, the teeth should be sterile. If you’ve been taking good care of the teeth since they were babies, maybe you are in good shape, but chances are you’ve failed their teeth for a while.
Should they’ve developed tartar, it would be very important to get it removed by a vet. To perform a cleaning, your veterinarian will anesthetize your pet, take x-rays, and move with the cleaning. The tartar is going to be removed from above and below the gumline. Afterward, their teeth will be polished to remove any scratches brought on by the cleaning to avoid the accumulation of germs. Then the vet will tell you the best dental care program for your pet.
Let us begin with the meals. Kibble is definitely better for the pet’s dental health. Many foods have special properties to keep their teeth clean as you can. There are also many treats you can give them that will help in removing plaque and prevent tartar build-up, in addition to toys made especially to help in plaque removal.
Even when they eat the correct kinds of food and perform with the ideal toys, you need to brush their teeth daily. This is the most important preventive measure you can take.
Ways to brush your dog’s teeth:
To begin with, you have to get him accustomed to the procedure if you haven’t done it before. Start by gently massaging his gums and teeth for a few seconds and see how he responds. If the fusses, don’t force him and try again the following day. In three or four tries, he should be more accustomed to your finger inside his mouth, so you can now progress to a brush. There are many types of brushes for dogs in your pet store, and if it’s a little dog, you may try using a piece of sterile gauze.
There’s also special toothpaste for dogs that have yummy tastes like chicken or liver. Pay attention to the huge teeth in the trunk. Don’t fret a lot about the inside, but pay special attention to the surface of the teeth. You can do two or three teeth per day if he does not enjoy the process too much initially. Eventually, he will sit tight for the whole cleaning and you will be able to do it in a few minutes.
Ways to brush your cat’s teeth:
Again, you need to get your cat used to the sense of your finger inside her mouth. Start simply massaging her gums and teeth for a couple of minutes every day. You will find particular brushes for cats, but employing a piece of gauze is very effective. If the size of this cat will allow it, you can utilize one of these plastic”finger brushes” made especially for dogs or cats. I personally find them large to the size of my cats’ mouths. You also don’t have to worry too much about the inside but do pay particular attention to the outside surface of the tooth. Do get the flavored toothpaste in a yummy tuna flavor for them… or whatever else they favor. Your vet can also recommend a particular sterile solution for cats.
If you don’t have anything else handy, you may use a mixture of baking soda and water, but hardly any. Of course, if you get your cat accustomed to her teeth cleaning when she is a kitten, the work will be a lot simpler, but you can find any cat used to this with patience and love. If you find it impossible, you’ll need to take her to a vet to get her teeth cleaned. Don’t put off this!! There are places in which they’ll do it for little money if you have financial difficulties. Just don’t forget they are dependent upon you because of their health. Looking for a cat dentist? Find more right here.
Comprehensive Dental Care
Regular dental care is a key part of a dog’s and cat’s oral and general health, but many pets are not able to receive the veterinary dental care they require in order to maintain their gums and teeth healthy.
In our Tracy veterinary clinic, we provide complete dental care for the pet, from principles such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to dental x-rays.
We’re also passionate about dental health education about home dental care for pet owners.
Our veterinary team at Paws & Claws Veterinary Hospital offers restorative and preventative dental care and surgery for dogs and cats in the Tracy area. We also have vet x-rays, visit us for more information.
