MVH - Dentistry

Look at the pictures above. What picture does your pet's mouth look like? If your pet's mouth matches either picture, you should read on.

The picture on the left shows normal healthy teeth. If Fido matches this picture, you're doing great. However, you need to maintain these healthy teeth, so it's important to understand the risks of poor dental hygiene and how to keep your pet's mouth healthy.

If your pet's mouth looks like the picture on the right, you have some serious work to do. The following information will help you understand dental hygiene and give you options on how to care for your pet's teeth.

First of all, you need to know that even minor dental infections can cause serious health problems including damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, and even the brain. Don't think that it can't happen to your dog because 85% of dogs and cats over 4 years old have some form of periodontal disease (American Veterinary Dental Society).

The best place to start your hygiene program is at your veterinary hospital. Your pet's teeth should be checked by your vet on a routine basis. This way, your vet can find any tarter or gingivitis that could lead to more systemic health problems. Your vet will also give you information about preventing infections at home by brushing your pet's teeth on a regular basis. There are special pet toothbrushes and toothpaste that are safe for your pet. Supplying chew toys and a good coarse-textured diet such as the t/d prescription diet made by Hill's Pet Nutrition also helps with the fight on plaque. Additionally, there is a gel called OraVet that can be wiped on your pets teeth just once per week to prevent bacteria from being able to adhere to your pet's enamel and gums. Click here for more information on Oravet.

If your pet has some unhealthy looking teeth, it's very important that you see your veterinarian right away. They will want to look at them and probably schedule a dental cleaning. If infection already exists, antibiotics will be necessary.