Welcome to National Pet Dental Health Month!
A healthy mouth = a healthy pet.
“By the age of three, more than half of all cats and dogs are beginning to show signs of a dental problem.” – Hill’s Pet Nutrition
What is periodontal disease?
It is a disease affecting the tissues that support the teeth and can lead to destruction of the tooth root, gums, and jaw.
What are the precursors to periodontal disease?
- Plaque – a colorless film containing bacteria
- Tartar – hardened plaque along the gumline
- Gingivitis – inflammation of the gums, leading to gum disease and tooth loss
“Infection associated with periodontal disease can be responsible for bad breath, and bacteria can enter a pet’s blood stream and spread to vital organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys.” – Hill’s Pet Nutrition
What are contributing factors to periodontal disease?
- Poor oral hygiene
- Breed – especially among breeds of dogs and cats with small, crowded mouths
- Age
What signs should I look for at home?
- Bad breath
- Bleeding gums
- Drooling
- Tooth loss
- Tartar buildup
- Pain when eating
- Pawing at the mouth
- Change of eating habits
- Subdued behavior
What can I do about it?
- Schedule your pet to get a dental exam and teeth cleaning from the veterinarian. Some pets may need the services of a veterinary dental specialist. Pets sometimes need root canals, just like people!
- Clean your pet’s teeth after its meals, using a pet-specific toothpaste or liquid dentifrice.
- Add Oxyfresh Pet Oral Hygiene Solution to your pet’s drinking water.
- Feed Prescription Diet t/d to healthy adult pets. Hill’s t/d food is designed to scrub your pet’s teeth as he chews.
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Information for this article adapted from “Oral Health: Caring for your pet” by Hill’s Pet Nutrition. Copies of the pamphlet are available at our office.
