Each year, February is designated as Pet Dental Health month by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Veterinary Dental Society, and Hill's Pet Food.  At Animal Hospital of West Bay we know that February isn't the only time to think about good oral health...keeping your pet's teeth and gums in good shape has many more benefits than simply fresh breath (although that is important, too!).   

We know that  dental disease  affects the whole body, too. Bacteria from these inflamed oral areas can enter the bloodstream and affect major body organs. The liver, kidneys, heart, and lungs are most commonly affected. 

Canine Dental Health

Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about 3-4 weeks of age.  They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about 4 month of age.

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, Nyla bones, rocks, etc...) is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.

Feline Dental Health

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.

Resorptive 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.

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 American Veterinary Dental Society 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 contains fluoride and this could be harmful to your pet when swallowed.

 

Schedule regular follow-up care with your family veterinarian and ask about specially formulated foods with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.