Dental Cleaning and Your Dog.

When we think of dental cleaning, we don’t always think about how important it can be for our pets.  But keeping your pets teeth clean should be part of their daily hygiene.  Just a few minutes of brushing a day can have a positive impact on their health.

According to VetStreet, it’s estimated that 85 percent of all pets have periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years of age. Periodontal disease is a progressive disease of the supporting tissues surrounding teeth and the main cause of early tooth loss.   Periodontal disease starts when bacteria combine with food particles to form plaque on the teeth.

There are many products on the market that can help with keeping your pets clean.  Some of those products include dental bones and dental chews that help scrape off plaque as your dog chews on the toy.   Dental sprays are also available to use.  Just open your dog’s mouth and spray the mouth while trying to coat each and every teeth.

You can also brush your dog’s teeth with a toothbrush while using an enzyme type toothpaste.  A good one is Virbac C.E.T. Enzymatic dog toothpaste.  It contains the C.E.T. Dual Enzyme system to inhibit the formation of plaque and contains no foaming agents.   Never, ever use toothpaste made for humans on dogs as the fluoride can be detrimental to their health.

Although the above may reduce plaque and tartar, it’s important to get your pets teeth checked regularly by your Vet.  There will come a time when your pet will eventually need to get their teeth professionally cleaned

What many people do not know is that dental disease can lead to serious problems for our pets.  According to VetStreet, the dental tartar you see slowly building up on your pet’s teeth is about 80 percent bacteria and that it damages the gums, the bone beneath and the ligaments that hold teeth in place. This bacteria can gain access to the blood stream and infect vital organs like the heart, lungs and kidneys and can be painful for your pet.

At one of Ginger’s well visits, about two years ago the Vet told me that they could hear some regurgitation coming from her heart.  I ended up taking her to a Cardiologist who confirmed that indeed she had Mitro Valve Disease.  Excessive dental tartar, gingivitis and periodontal disease can be a big source of health issues for Cavaliers with heart disease.  So an annual dental cleaning is a must for Ginger. If you have a pet with heart disease it’s important to understand what stage they are in and figure out the safest way to get a dental cleaning which will include anesthesia, which of course will be more costly.

Prior to a cleaning, the vet will physically examine your dogs to ensure that it is safe for them to receive anesthesia.  Dogs will have their organs monitored and blood pressure monitored throughout the process.  The vet will examine the condition of your pets teeth, any rotted or damaged teeth may have to be extracted.  The whole process can take up to an hour.

Every pet is different and some pets won’t have to get their teeth cleaned every year some may be able to go longer.  Just remember that your pet’s dental health should never be ignored.