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Three Steps to Success
Your pet needs dental care – regular, professional care from your veterinarian, as well as care at home from you. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three basic steps.
Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam. Don’t wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem.
Begin a dental care regimen at home. Your veterinarian can suggest steps that may include brushing your pet’s teeth. One of the most convenient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding specially formulated foods proven effective in combating plaque and tartar buildup. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an organization initiated by members of the American Veterinary Dental Society to guide consumers, appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats.
Schedule regular veterinary checkups. These are essential in helping your veterinarian monitor the progress of your pet’s dental health routine.
Your pet needs dental care – regular, professional care from your veterinarian, as well as care at home from you. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three basic steps.
Take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam. Don’t wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem.
Begin a dental care regimen at home. Your veterinarian can suggest steps that may include brushing your pet’s teeth. One of the most convenient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding specially formulated foods proven effective in combating plaque and tartar buildup. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an organization initiated by members of the American Veterinary Dental Society to guide consumers, appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats.
Schedule regular veterinary checkups. These are essential in helping your veterinarian monitor the progress of your pet’s dental health routine.
- Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets
- An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS).
- Periodontal disease is a common problem in dogs, particularly smaller breeds. Canine dentistry experts believe this is because small dogs’ teeth often are too large for their mouths, forcing the teeth closer together.
- Cats can develop painful cervical line lesions. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
- Oral disease begins with a buildup of bacteria in the pet’s mouth
- Bacteria, combined with saliva and food debris between the tooth and gum, can cause plaque formulations that accumulate on the tooth. As bacteria grow in the plaque and as calcium salts are deposited, plaque turns to tartar.
- If tartar is not removed from the teeth, pockets of pus may appear along the gum line and further separate the teeth from the gum, which allows more food and bacteria to accumulate.
- Without proper treatment, this plaque and tartar buildup may cause periodontal disease, which affects the tissue and structure supporting the teeth.
- Periodontitis is irreversible and may lead to other health problems
- Unlike the inflamed gums of gingivitis, which can be treated and reversed with thorough plaque removal and continued plaque control, periodontitis can only be contained to prevent progression. The disease causes red, swollen and tender gums, receding gums, bleeding, pain and bad breath. If left untreated, periodontitis can lead to tooth loss.
- The infection caused by periodontal disease may enter the bloodstream, potentially infecting the heart, liver and kidneys.
- Pet owners should look for warning signs of oral disease
- Common indications of oral disease include bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth and depression.
- If any of these signs are present, the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
- The good news is that pet owners can reduce the risk of oral disease by following AVDS recommendations
- The first step in preventing oral disease is a routine physical examination including a dental exam.
- Pet owners should practice a regular dental care regimen at home, which may include brushing the pet’s teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. It’s best to start early, but grown dogs and cats can learn to tolerate brushing. Toothpaste for humans is not recommended because it may upset the pet’s stomach.
- Schedule regular follow-up care with your family veterinarian and ask about specially formulated foods with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.
Have you looked in your pet’s mouth lately?
Dogs and cats can’t brush their teeth. But foul breath and yellow-brown teeth are not only unappealing, they could indicate a serious gum disease. And that can lead to other health problems.
"Periodontal disease affects nearly 80 percent of all cats and dogs over the age of three. It starts as bacteria and plaque on teeth and progresses into a disease that can cause tooth decay, bleeding gums, tooth loss and even damage to the heart and other internal organs," said Dr. Steve Holmstrom, past president of the AVDS and a spokesperson for the Pets Need Dental Care, Too™ campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the AVDS and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc."
Without proper dental care, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. In fact, oral disease is the No. 1 health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats. The AVDS recommends a three-step program to help prevent oral disease:
1. A dental exam and, if needed, a dental cleaning by a veterinarian.
2. A home dental care routine that includes regular brushing and nutritious diet.
3. Regular follow-up veterinary checkups.
Dog Dental Facts
Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.
Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.
Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.
Cat Dental Facts
Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three to four months.
Symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
Cervical line lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
Important Information About Your Pet
Dogs and cats can’t brush their teeth. But foul breath and yellow-brown teeth are not only unappealing, they could indicate a serious gum disease. And that can lead to other health problems.
"Periodontal disease affects nearly 80 percent of all cats and dogs over the age of three. It starts as bacteria and plaque on teeth and progresses into a disease that can cause tooth decay, bleeding gums, tooth loss and even damage to the heart and other internal organs," said Dr. Steve Holmstrom, past president of the AVDS and a spokesperson for the Pets Need Dental Care, Too™ campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the AVDS and Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc."
Without proper dental care, 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age three. In fact, oral disease is the No. 1 health problem diagnosed in dogs and cats. The AVDS recommends a three-step program to help prevent oral disease:
1. A dental exam and, if needed, a dental cleaning by a veterinarian.
2. A home dental care routine that includes regular brushing and nutritious diet.
3. Regular follow-up veterinary checkups.
Dog Dental Facts
Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.
Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.
Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.
Cat Dental Facts
Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three to four months.
Symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
Cervical line lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.
Important Information About Your Pet
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