Taking care of your Pet’s Teeth

An often overlooked part of pet care is taking proper care of a pet’s teeth. Pet dental care is actually a very important part of caring for your pet’s overall health. While brushing your pet’s teeth on a regular basis may not seem to be a relatively important task, it should be done at least once per week. Here are some simple tips you can follow to take the best possible care of your pet’s teeth.

PET DENTAL CARE TOOLS

TOOTHBRUSH

Toothbrushes for pets are usually relatively inexpensive, and are available in a number of styles. Some toothbrushes have removable abrasive pads, which are single-use units used for brushing your pet’s teeth. Other brushes look similar to traditional human toothbrushes, though are usually angled for better brushing. There are also pet toothbrushes that are marketed as finger attachments, which are usually made of pliable plastic or rubber.

TOOTH BRUSHING SOLUTION

Tooth solutions for pets are not necessarily always available in paste form. There are certain types of powders, pastes, liquids and even medicated scrubbing pads that are available to help you to keep your pet’s teeth clean. To help your pet to be less resistant to tooth brushing, most of these solutions are meat-flavored in order to be palatable to your pet. However, it is never advised to let your pet consume an excessive amount of any tooth brushing solution, as some of them contain medications specifically designed for your pet’s dental health.

BRUSHING YOUR PET’S TEETH

Before brushing your pet’s teeth, it’s important that you first get your pet comfortable with the idea of having their teeth touched. Using a small cloth, begin by gently wiping the outside surfaces of your pet’s teeth on a daily basis. When your pet is comfortable with this, you can make the transition to using a toothbrush. Be sure to put a small amount of tooth brushing solution on your pet’s toothbrush, since the pleasing taste will usually help them to be more comfortable with the toothbrush.

Begin by using slow, even brushing motions over your pet’s teeth. You can start by brushing the front of your pet’s teeth first, making sure to brush all the way down to your pet’s gum-line. Slowly work your way to the back of your pet’s mouth, making sure to brush all four sides of each tooth.

IMPORTANCE OF PET DENTAL CARE

Brushing your pet’s teeth on a regular basis is an important part of preventing oral disease. In a general perspective, brushing your pet’s teeth can potentially add from three to five years to your pet’s life. Untreated periodontal disease can cause dangerous bacteria to spread to many of your pet’s internal organs, which can cause serious damage. If your pet shows any symptoms of periodontal disease, it’s best to seek the advice of a veterinarian immediately. Some of the most common symptoms include bad breath, excessive drooling, swollen or inflamed gums, tooth sensitivity and visible tooth discolorations.