Dental disease is the most common disease seen by veterinarians. As many as 70-85% of pets over the age of two have some form of dental disease. Here are some signs that your pet may have a dental disease:
*Bad breath
*Yellow, brown, or discolored teeth
*Loose teeth
*Red, inflamed gums
*Swollen mouth, jaws, or gums
*Doesn’t play with chew toys as often
*Pain when eating
DENTAL HOME CARE
Brushing the teeth every day with special pet toothpaste (do not use human toothpaste) is the best way to reduce tartar and gingivitis. Most pets love the taste of the pet toothpaste and can be easily taught to accept brushing. A few pointers for success:
*Brushing must be done every day to be effective, so find a way to make it part of your daily routine. Maybe you can brush your pet's teeth every night before you brush your teeth?
*Start slowly so your pet does not become afraid or resistant. Start with paste on your finger, be gentle, and work your way up to a finger brush, toothbrush, or spinner brush.
*As your pets accept it, brush the outside surface of all the teeth, gently lifting the lip to get the teeth in the back. It is not usually possible or necessary to brush the inside surface (by the tongue) as this surface builds less tartar than the outside.
*Make it fun and give lots of praise. Pretty soon your pet will look forward to it every day!
