February is National Pet Dental Health Month
What do you do for your pup’s teeth? If you’re like most people you don’t brush
your dog’s teeth twice a day, and unfortunately as many times as you tell Fido
do he never seems to brush his own teeth.
There are though simple things you can do to help with your pet’s dental
care. Besides from brushing their teeth,
make sure you’re providing them with a healthy diet along with plenty of chew
toys. Unfortunately many dogs show signs
of gum disease by the time they are four years old. Bad breath is typically the first sign of a
problem. There are a variety of dental care
products on market to aid in combating bad breath. At Preferred Pet Care Inc. we carry
Tropiclean. Tropiclean’s products are
made with natural ingredients and they offer products such as water additives,
teeth cleaning gel, fresh mint foam, liquid floss, dental treats and more. We have from personal experience seen improvement
from these products.
The ASPCA recommends these ten steps to your dog’s dental
health…
1.
Breath Test- Simple enough, sniff your dog’s
breath. Of course since they don’t brush
their teeth daily some doggie breath is normal; however if it’s especially
offensive along with a loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive drinking or
urination it would be a good idea to consult your veterinarian.
2.
Lip Service- Once a week check your pup’s gums
and teeth. The gums should be pink, not red
or white. The gums should also have no
signs of swelling or bleeding. The teeth
should be clean without any brownish tartar.
3.
Signs of Disease- Bad breath, excessive drooling,
inflamed gums, tumors in the gums, cysts under the tongue, and loose teeth are
all signs of periodontal disease.
4.
The Lowdown on Tooth Decay- Just like with people
bacteria and plaque forming foods can cause buildup. The buildup can harden and turn into
tartar. The tartar can then possibly
lead to gingivitis, receding gums, and tooth loss. The main solution would be regular teeth
cleanings.
5.
Canine Tooth-Brushing Kit- If your pup will let
you the best way to prevent dental disease would be to brush their teeth. If you plan on brushing your pet’s teeth make
sure to purchase a toothbrush that’s specially designed for canines, or you can
first start with a clean soft piece of gauze.
Additionally make sure to use toothpaste that is specifically designed
for dogs.
6.
Brightening the Pearly Whites- Before you can be
a pro at brushing your dog’s teeth you’ll probably have to get them use to the
idea of it. Start by massaging their
lips in a circular motion for 30-60 seconds once or twice a day for a couple
week. Then move on to doing the same
thing with their teeth and gums. Once
your pup is comfortable then start with the same action with toothpaste. Use clean gauze on your finger, apply a
little toothpaste and try that out on your pup.
Then gradually buildup to using their toothbrush.
7.
Brushing Technique- There is a technique to
brushing your pup’s teeth. Angle the
toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and brush in small circular motions. Start with one area at a time. Don’t expect a miracle overnight, if it’s
been years since your pup has had their teeth brushed that also means they may
have some plague and tartar buildup.
8.
Know Your Mouth Disorders- Familiarize yourself
with possible mouth problems your dog may encounter. Some of the more common problems are gingivitis,
halitosis, swollen gums, proliferating gum disease, mouth tumors, and salivary
cysts.
9.
Chew on This- Chew toys can help your dog’s
natural desire to chomp along with helping to make their teeth strong. Gnawing on a chew toy can also help massage
their gums and help keep their teeth clean by scarping away at soft tartar.
10.
Diet for Healthy Teeth- Ask your veterinarian
about a diet specially formulated to help slow down the formation of plague and
tartar. Additionally avoid feeding your
dog table scraps.
