. . . For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember. Just like you, your pet needs dental care, too - regular professional care from your veterinarian and effective daily home care from you to keep your pet's mouth healthy.

 

Causes of Periodontal Disease

Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria. If left unchecked, plaque builds up, creating infection, destroying gums and resulting in the loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth.

 

Signs of Periodontal Disease

All pets are at risk for developing dental problems. Once your pet displays any of the warning signs below, serious periodontal disease may be present.

• Bad breath
• Yellow-brown crust on teeth
• Bleeding gums
• Change of chewing or eating habits
• Tooth loss
• Change in behavior
• Abnormal drooling 

Periodontal disease may result in abscesses and gum infection which are painful! Foul breath and mouth odor makes your pet less pleasant to be around. Oral infections constantly pump bacteria into the bloodstream and may cause endocarditis (heart valve infection), kidney infection, bladder infection, respiratory infection and chronic disease.  

 

Don't wait for these signs

Periodontal disease can be prevented in most pets through professional and daily home care. Start a preventive program of veterinarian supervised ddental care today.

 

Tips on Home Care

• Excellent oral health is maintained by dailyly oral hygiene, whether by brushing or by chewing.
• Feed a dental food to ensure your pet receives good oral care every day.
• Watch your pet for the warning signs of periodontal disease.
• Inspect your pet's mouth regularly   
• If you brush your pet's teeth, it's best to introduce the practice gradually and early; training may take several days or weeks.
• Never brush your pet's teeth with toothpaste designed for people. It contains ingredients that may upset your pet's stomach.

Here are three steps to better oral care: 

 

1. Visit your veterinarian

Every regular exam in our clinic includes a thorough dental exam. If we find signs of disease, we will recommend a treatment plan. It is important for the overall health of your pet that we take care of any dental problems we find. We will also recommend a home care plan that is key part of keeping your pet healthy.

 

2. Start an oral care routine at home

Plaque should be removed from your pet's teeth every day before it mineralizes into tartar. Brushing your pets teeth or feeding a dental food each day will control plaque buildup. Be sure the dental food you use offers total balanced nutrition for whole health. Ask us about the best methods of home care for your pet.

 

3. Schedule regular dental checkups

We monitor the progress of your pet's preventative program, so regular dental checkups are essential, just as twice-a-year checkups are important for people. For pets who form tartar quickly or those with a history of oral problems, frequent examinations and cleanings may be advised.