Doggy breath may be a symptom of gum disease!

I was surprised when someone recently told me they have never taken their dogs or cats to the veterinarian for routine teeth cleanings. Many people don’t know that dogs and cats, just like humans, need regular dental care. If you fail to help your pets maintain healthy gums and teeth, they will eventually develop Periodontal or gum disease. The early stage of gum disease is gingivitis and is caused by saliva mixing with bacteria in the mouth and forming a hard substance called plaque. Plaque sticks to the teeth and becomes tartar and calculus which irritates gum tissue and causes painful inflammation, swelling, and infection.

At this stage, a good cleaning and antibiotics can reverse the problem, so it’s important to see your veterinarian right away if your pet has:

• bleeding gums
• trouble chewing
• bad breath

If gingivitis goes untreated, it will become periodontal disease which is not treatable and causes irreversible bone loss and tooth damage. At this point the roots are affected and the teeth will loosen and many fall out. Animals may lose weight, and suffer from poor nutrition.

Eventually, the bacteria and infection in the mouth will spread into the blood steam and affect the major organs, such as the heart, liver, and the kidney, leading to health problems, and even death.

Gum disease in pets is preventable

Can you imagine if you never used a toothbrush or flossed your teeth? It’s horrible to think about. I must admit, while I take my cat to the vet for cleanings, I have not had success brushing her teeth! However, my dog actually loves the taste of his doggy toothpaste. Ideally, you will introduce your animals to tooth care when they are small by wiping the teeth with gauze and teaching them it is okay you are handling their mouths. Eventually, you can purchase a toothbrush and toothpaste made for pets (never use people toothpaste on dogs as the fluoride and sugars are not good for them).

In an ideal world, you should clean your pet’s teeth daily, but I really don’t know anyone who lives in an ideal world, and my vet recommends twice weekly.

Dental disease affects over 80% of pets over the age of three!

So, starting to address pet dental hygiene early is key. It’s important to take pets to the veterinarian for regular yearly visits, and checking the teeth and gums will be a part of routine check-ups. Your doctor many recommend a dental cleaning.

What you need to know about pet dental cleanings

• Your vet will probably recommend pre-dental blood work to make sure the liver, kidneys, and blood counts are within normal ranges to reduce risks prior to anesthesia.
• Many pets with gum disease will need to take antibiotics prior to the dental cleaning to begin to reduce the infection and reduce the possibility of complications.
• Do not provide food or water for your pet starting the evening before the cleaning. Anesthesia can cause vomiting and the doctor wants your pet to have an empty stomach.
• During the dental, the doctor will remove tartar, check for cavities, gingival or gum pockets, loose teeth, and growths on the gums or palate, and remove any diseased teeth, ending with a final polishing to smooth the teeth. Smoothing the teeth actually helps prevent tartar formation as rough teeth gives tartar places to adhere.

Dental health chew toys for dogs and cats

There are many products on the market you can try to help with your pet’s dental hygiene. Always look for reputable companies and make sure chew toys are safe and do not contain small parts an animal can dislodge and choke on.

For cats: Doctors Foster and Smith carries a catnip chew toy for cats to help remove tartar, dental cleansing pads for cats, and Greenies, a cat treat (my cat loves them!), that contains chlorophyll for freshening breath and has a crunchy texture to help scrape away tartar.

For dogs: Look for rawhide bones, Nylabones, Greenies, toothpaste and toothbrush made for dogs, and oral cleaning pads.

Remember, your pets need dental care just as much as you do!