February is National Pet Dental Health Month – what a perfect time to reflect on the health of your pet’s mouth! While stinky breath is unpleasant, especially when getting Valentine’s kisses from your pet, it is also an indication of dental disease.
Examine Your Pet’s Teeth
When we examine your pet’s teeth, we are looking for evidence of calculus and gingivitis. Calculus is a buildup of plaque and bacteria that over time hardens to form this cement-like material. This material then causes inflammation along the gum line (gingivitis), which over time, can progress and cause the breakdown of bone around the roots of the teeth. What we see on the surface may only be the tip of the iceberg!
Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
To slow down the progression of dental disease, there are several things you can do at home. The best method is to brush your pet’s teeth as frequently as possible. There are several types of brushes and wipes available on the market. There are also other products available, such as food additives, water additives, and dental diets.
Schedule a Pet Dental Cleaning Appointment
We also recommend that your pet undergo a dental cleaning to remove the calculus that has built up. This consists of ultrasonic scaling to remove the calculus (including under the gumline), polishing, full mouth x-rays, and probing around the teeth to assess for pockets. This can dramatically improve the dental health of your pet, improve their overall health…and result in fresh breath good for kisses!