Brush Up on Your Pet’s Oral Care

February Is Pet Dental Health Awareness Month

   February is pet dental health awareness month. When was the last time you checked Max or Fluffy’s pearly (or not-so-pearly) whites…or took them to the veterinarian for a dental exam?

   Many pet owners may not realize just how crucial oral care is; according to the American Veterinary Medical Association(AVMA), an organization dedicated to advancing the science and art of veterinary medicine, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of oral disease by the age of three.

Dental Disease Can Be Deadly

   While those are dangerously high numbers, research indicates that when it comes to our fuzzy friends, dental care is not a priority. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey reports that only 14% of dogs and 9% of cats receive dental care at the veterinarian’s office.

   Bacteria in an animal’s mouth can get into a pet’s bloodstream and infuse different organs, causing infections that can potentially cause death. The AVMA reports the organs most often affected by oral diseases are the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver, and even the nervous system.

   The risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease is the same for your pet as it is for people. Left untreated, bacteria build-up, plaque and tartar, can lead to infection and more severe health problems. The following are the common dental health problems that may affect your dog or cat:

• Gingivitis … means an inflammation of the gums.
• Periodontitis a general term for a disease of the oral cavity that attacks the gum and bone and delicate tissues around the teeth.
• Pyorrhea inflammation of the gums and tooth sockets, often leading to loosening of the teeth and accompanied by pus.
• Caries an area of decalcification of the tooth enamel leading to cavities in the tooth. Caries are very rare in dogs.
• Plaque is the first buildup of material adhering to the enamel of the tooth and is composed of a mixed colony of bacteria in an intercellular matrix of bacteria, salivary polymers, remnants of epithelial cells and white blood cells. It can cause caries, calculi buildup and periodontal disease.
• Calculus (Tartar) is calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate combined with organic material, deposited on the surface of the tooth

Three Simple Steps to Dental Care

   Pet owners can brush up on their four-legged friends’ oral care by following three simple guidelines outlined by the American Veterinary Dental Association.

• Take your pet to get a dental exam. Your pet should have a routine veterinarian examination, including a careful examination of his teeth and gums, at least once a year.
• Start an at-home regimen. Ask your veterinarian to suggest nutritional supplements and a regular teeth brushing schedule or a specially formulated food proven to help remove plaque and tarter from your pet’s teeth.
• Schedule dental cleanings. Take your pet for regular dental checkups.

Signs Of Decay

   So, what are some indicators that your cat or dog may have dental disease? The American Veterinary Dental College, the clinical specialist organization for veterinary dentists, lists the following on their Web site:

• Bad breath
• Loose or discolored teeth or teeth covered in tartar
• Your pet is not comfortable with you touching within the mouth area
• Drooling or dropping food from the mouth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Loss of appetite or loss of weight       

   Your pet’s dental health is just as important as your own; if your pet shows any of these signs, you should schedule an appointment with our office as soon as possible.