Facts You Must Know to Protect Your Pet’s Oral Health

Thanks to all the new preventive medicine we can count on, our pets live longer, healthier lives, so much so that now a number of the most acute medical problems pets can have are related to their own dental health. Cleaning our pet’s teeth regularly may make a massive difference in their health and well-being. By routinely, I mean daily, but don’t worry, once you get a hang of it, it shouldn’t take you over a few minutes. Keep in mind, however, that even if you give them daily house cleaning, you need to always take your furry friend to the vet at least one time every year for a complete checkup, and when needed, professional teeth cleaning. 

Dogs and cats don’t get cavities frequently, if at all, but they do get gum disease, and tartar can build up excessively on the teeth. That is the main reason to provide great dental hygiene. If plaque is not removed in 2 to 5 days, it transforms into tartar, which has stuck to the teeth and it is not quite as simple to eliminate. Tartar irritates the gums, and this is exactly what causes gingivitis.

Once tartar has developed, the cleaning should be performed by your vet who can remove the tartar and then polish the tooth. Once the tartar builds up below the gums, it induces a break of the teeth from the teeth and strains pockets, where even more germs can grow. At this point, they’ve developed periodontal disease. Besides being very painful, this may lead to tooth reduction, abscesses, and infections. Only your vet can block the advance or block the disease.

Thus, what kind of dental hygiene if you provide your pets?

Take your pet to the vet for regular checkups, which ought to 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 said, your pet requires routine dental care in your home, but for a good beginning, your teeth should be sterile. If you have been taking care of the teeth since they were babies, maybe you are in fine shape, but chances are you have failed their teeth for a while.

Should they have already developed tartar, it would be important to get it removed by a vet. To execute a cleaning, your vet will anesthetize your furry friend, choose x-rays, and move with the cleaning. Then their teeth will probably be polished to remove any scratches caused by the cleaning to avoid the accumulation of germs. Then the vet will let you know the most effective dental care plan for the pet.

Let us begin with the food. Kibble is unquestionably better for your pet’s dental health. Many foods have specific properties to maintain their teeth clean as you can. There are also lots of treats that you can give them that will aid in removing plaque and prevent tartar build-up, in addition to toys made specifically to assist in plaque removal.

When they eat the right kinds of food and perform the ideal toys, you need to brush their teeth daily. This is the most essential preventive measure you can take. Learn more information right here.

How to brush your dog’s teeth

To begin with, you need to get him used to the process if you haven’t done it before. Start by gently massaging his gums and teeth for a few seconds and see how he reacts. If the fusses, don’t force him and try again the next day. In three or four tries, he should be accustomed to your finger in his mouth, and that means you can now progress to a brush. There are various kinds of brushes for puppies at your pet shop, and if it’s a little dog, you might try with a piece of sterile gauze.

There’s also special toothpaste for dogs that have delectable tastes like chicken or liver. Never use human toothpaste! Look closely at the big teeth at the trunk. Don’t fret too much about the inside, but pay special attention to the surface of the teeth. You can do two or three teeth a day when he does not enjoy the process a lot initially. Eventually, he’ll sit tight for the whole cleaning and you will be able to get it done in a couple of minutes.

How to brush your cat’s teeth

Again, you have to get your cat into the feel of your finger inside her mouth. Start simply massaging her teeth and gums for a couple of minutes daily. There are particular brushes for cats, but using a sheet of gauze is extremely powerful. If the size of the cat will permit it, you can utilize one of those plastic”finger brushes” created especially for cats or dogs. You also don’t have to worry too much about the interior but do pay special attention to the outside surface of the tooth. Do buy the flavored toothpaste in a yummy carrot taste for them… or anything else they favor. Your vet may also suggest a special sterile solution for cats.

If you do not have anything else handy, you may use a mix of baking soda and water, but hardly any. Of course, if you get your cat accustomed to her teeth cleaning when she’s a kitty, the job will be much easier, but you can get any cat used to them with patience and love. If you find it impossible, you’ll have to take her to a vet to have her teeth cleaned. Don’t put this off!! There are places in which they will do it for little money in case you’ve got financial issues. Just remember they are dependent upon you because of their health.

Routine dental care is a key component of a dog’s and cat’s oral and general health, but several pets aren’t able to obtain the veterinary dental care they need to keep their gums and teeth healthy.

In our Tracy veterinary hospital, we provide complete dental care for your pet, from basics such as dental exams, teeth cleanings, and polishing, to dental x-rays. Visit tracyvets.com for more details.

We’re also enthusiastic about dental health education about home dental care for pet owners. Click here to learn more about us.