As pet owners we all know that dental care is very important for our pets. Updated research shows that at least 85% of dogs over 3 years show some signs of dental disease. This can range from tartare and plaque, staining and building up on the teeth. This causes inflamed, reddened gums.

Regular care at home, daily brushing, using oral sprays, products for water, kelp products for the food and feeding special dental diets can help prevent the build up of plaque and tartare which reduces gum disease by as much as 90% and better smelling breath. It also helps prevent the need for professional teeth cleaning, and tooth loss that your VET will need to deal with.

There are some important contributing factors to dental disease, periodontal disease is more common in smaller breeds of dogs and some cat breeds, it is more common in older pets and poor oral hygiene and plaque build up can lead to gum disease, tooth loss and other more serious conditions such as heart, liver and kidney disease.

The causes of gum disease include plaque which is a film that contains large amounts of bacteria which if left unchecked can build up on the teeth causing infection, ulcers and destroying gums and this results in the loss of tissue and bone that support the teeth.
As always prevention is the best cure and can reduce the formation of plaque and help maintain proper oral health throughout your pet’s life.

Some signs of gum disease include bad breath, yellow crusting on the teeth, bleeding gums, difficulty eating, or a change in eating habits, tooth loss, behavioural changes, salivating and dropping food from their mouths.

Your pets teeth can be cleaned by you at home using a pet tooth brush, or a spray to use directly on the teeth or a rinse to add to their water bowl. Cleaning your pets teeth and controlling tartare build up by using specific dry food diets is very important. Talk to your vet about the dental food available for your pet. The easiest way to prevent teeth and gum problems is to get their teeth checked regularly at their annual visit to your VET. Start an oral care program at home by brushing their teeth to remove plaque there are pet tooth brushes available and chicken flavoured toothpaste and mouth washes that can be added to their water bowl.

Also there are specially formulated dental dry food available for dogs and cats to help clean their teeth which helps ensure your pet receives good oral care every day. August is Pet Dental Health month ask your VET what is the best way to look after your pets teeth.