Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy, Part 1

So many people think of dental care for their pet as tedious and unnecessary, but if one thinks about it one will realize just how disgusting a mouth can get if not brushed and cleaned regularly. Shoot, if I forget to brush my teeth just one morning, I feel gross all day- I can only imagine what our pets feel like! Even more than that, though, is the fact that good dental health lends itself to better overall health as well. Dental disease can lead to issues with the kidneys, lungs and even the heart. So now we’ve established the WHY on dental health, but HOW does one go about it?

Starting when your pet is just a puppy/ kitten, your veterinarian will want to inspect the teeth. He/ she will be checking for problems with the deciduous (baby) teeth, placement of teeth, and looking for any abnormalities or swelling in the mouth. This is a great time to ask your doctor to demonstrate proper teeth-brushing technique. If started at an early age, your pet will accept it more readily, making it easier on everyone to maintain good dental health in the years to come. West Ridge Animal Hospital carries a variety of animal-specific toothbrushes, toothpastes, and oral rinses to better accommodate each household and their pets. Please note: it is not safe to use human toothpaste on a pet, it could cause poisoning from the fluoride since animals don’t spit and rinse.

At each wellness examination, your vet will again look in the mouth and inform you of your pet’s dental “grade”. Don’t worry, they’re not grading your ability or skill; all animals have different dispositions when it comes to their mouths, just as we humans do. This number, 1 through 4, refers to the amount of plaque and tartar, and signifies whether periodontal disease is present and, if so, its severity. This creates a consistent chart for all doctors who might see your pet.

Stay tuned for further posts regarding dental health….