{"id":1100,"date":"2020-05-20T19:29:33","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T19:29:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/dental-care-for-pets\/"},"modified":"2020-05-20T20:00:22","modified_gmt":"2020-05-20T20:00:22","slug":"dental-care-for-pets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/dental-care-for-pets\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Care…for Pets?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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DO OUR PETS<\/b> need dental care? The answer is yes. But wait, wild animals don\u2019t get dental care and they seem to have good teeth, right? Actually, wild animal dental health isn\u2019t quite what it seems. While their diets consist of less tooth decay-causing sugar and carbs, they also don\u2019t usually survive serious dental problems. Pets, on the other hand, have humans to keep taking care of them, and we should take care of their teeth too.<\/p>\n

Pet Dental Health Problems<\/h3>\n

Just like human mouths, animal mouths contain bacteria<\/strong> that produces plaque. If it\u2019s allowed to build up, plaque becomes tartar and can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. The trouble with pets is that they can\u2019t directly let us know something is wrong with their teeth, and they can\u2019t take care of their own teeth or explain what they feel to a dentist, so it\u2019s easy to miss the signs.<\/p>\n

As many as 85% of cats and dogs develop periodontal disease<\/strong> by the time they\u2019re three years old. Symptoms include trouble chewing, loose teeth, and bad breath, but it can also cause more serious symptoms like bleeding or swollen gums, tooth loss, and reduced appetite. Pet owners should be on the watch for these signs so that they can address any problems before they get worse.<\/p>\n

Basic Pet Dental Care Tips<\/h3>\n

As important as it is to keep an eye out for symptoms, it\u2019s better to simply maintain a good pet dental hygiene routine. Prevention is better than a cure<\/strong>, whether we\u2019re talking about human dental health or pet dental health! Here are a few basic things you can do for your furry friend:<\/p>\n

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  • Brush their teeth daily.<\/strong><\/li>\n
  • Only use veterinary toothpaste<\/strong> (yours will make them sick).<\/li>\n
  • Get the vet\u2019s recommendations<\/strong> for dental treats.<\/li>\n
  • Have their teeth professionally cleaned.<\/strong> This could be through the regular vet or through a veterinary dental specialist.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Establishing a Brushing Routine<\/h3>\n

    Just as dogs and cats can\u2019t tell us when there\u2019s something wrong with their teeth, they also can\u2019t understand the benefit of brushing them, so sometimes it can be tricky getting them to accept a daily brushing<\/strong>. We recommend brushing when they\u2019re calm, getting down on their level so it\u2019s less intimidating, testing their willingness for brushing by running a finger over their upper gums, and making sure they like the flavor of the veterinary toothpaste.<\/p>\n