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More Dental Facts
*Domestic dogs and cats are
dependent on us humans to care for
their teeth as opposed to those in
the wild. Wild dogs and cats are
classified as prehensile eaters.
These animals grab their food, bite
down once or twice to tear it loose,
rip back and swallow it. Carnivores
will chew the meat left on the bones
and in the process rub their teeth
and gums, which helps to keep them
clean. These wild dogs and cats do
not eat the left-over bones;
therefore we should not encourage
our pets to eat them.
*Waste products made from the
bacteria that live in the mouth can
cause damage to your pet’s organs.
Theses microbes also cause odor to
linger on your pet’s breath. The
bacteria, when mixed with plaque,
cause the gums to become inflamed
and bleed. This allows the germs to
enter the blood stream and attack
the kidneys, liver and heart. The
damage caused to these organs can
result in a shorter life span.
Spending one minute per week
brushing your pet’s teeth will help
reduce the number of bacteria
present in their mouth.
*Pay
attention to your pet’s gums while
cleaning their teeth. Our pet’s
teeth and gums should be as clean
and healthy as our own. If the gums
are red and inflamed or bleeding, or
if bad breath is present, it is time
to make an appointment for
professional dental care. Advances
in sedation and anesthesia allow the
dental cleaning procedure to be done
(in most cases) on an outpatient
basis.
Did you
know as little as one minute of your
time with your per once a week will
add from 2 to 5 years to your pet's
life? Those additional years of
enjoyment for both you and your pet
are because of what we have learned
about the bacteria in your pet's
mouth.
Bacteria build up in the mouth, in
the pocket between the gums and
teeth, as well as in the tarter, or
plaque, that is the brown color on
the teeth. When they do they
irritate the gums and, over time,
cause them to bleed. The bacteria
can then get into the blood stream
and spread all over the body,
attacking the organs and causing
life-shortening damage.
Nature helps our pets by maintaining
75% of the surfaces of the teeth.
The only area we have to help take
care of is the outside upper
surface. Fortunately, 5 pet
friendly, easy ways have been
developed to do this and none of
them take more than a minute a week.
1. Chicken flavored toothpaste
with a finger brush
1. Gel
1. Spray
1. Chewable treat
1. T/D biscuits
Options 1 through 4 all have enzymes
that will bubble oxygen under the
gums to control the bacteria and
another one to keep the plaque soft
so it can be removed with rubbing.
We
ask that you pick one of these
options and start doing it today. If
you have any problems doing the one
you try, bring it back and we will
credit you your purchase price and
you can try another one until you
find one that works. Our goal for
you is to have success and a longer,
healthy, fun-filled life with your
pet. |
The Doctor's Corner ...
Dental Care for Pets 
