The answer is yes, 100% YES.
It might not be the answer pet owners want to hear but brushing your pets teeth is very important and it can significantly improve their quality of life.
Dental disease is one of the most common problems we see as veterinarians. In fact, approximately 85% of pets over 3 years of age suffer from the problem! (so don’t worry you’re not alone).
Hint: smelly breath is not normal…
So, what is dental disease?
The mouth is home to thousands of bacteria. Overtime, this bacteria multiply on the tooth surface and form a layer called ‘plaque’. It travels under the gum surface and causes an inflammatory reaction that starts to destroy the underlying bone structures & infect the gum tissue. This leads to bad breath, fractures & painful tooth decay.
Ouch! What do we do about it?
The good news is early stages of the disease are reversible! But we need to act fast – prevention is always better than cure. At Vets in the Village we aim for pawfection and recommend a combination of the following options to keep your pets smiling.
- Tip #1 Daily Tooth Brushing Just like humans, brushing your pets’ teeth is the best method of removing plaque. Start by using your finger and then slowly move to a soft bristle toothbrush and pet friendly toothpaste (note: pets can’t have human toothpaste due to the fluoride). Try peanut butter to start with – they’ll love it!
- Tip #2 Dental Diets We know brushing teeth in our furry friends can be hard, so the next best thing is a scientifically formulated dental diet containing additives that help break down tartar. Hills and Royal canin are the preferred brands by veterinarians.
- Tip #3 Dental Chews These products encourage your pet to chew to help to break down plaque on the tooths surface. Try greenies or oravet!
Just remember, prevention is always better than cure!
We can’t wait to see your pets SMILING soon.
Warm woofs,
Dr Ellen