The Water Bowl

Dental Care – Let the ‘Tooth’ Be Told

June 22, 2017 Brendon Laing Health & Science, Ownership 1

When it comes to human dental care, most people are very aware about plaque control and cavity prevention. It is well understood that regular dentist visits are part of normal wellness care. When it comes to taking care of their pets however, most people underestimate the importance of dental care. Shockingly, 4 out of 5 dogs and cats over the age of three develop periodontal disease.

Brush your teeth please — Don’t forget to brush your teeth

Like us, every time your pet eats, food particles adhere to their teeth – and where there’s food, there’s bacteria. If not adequately removed, saliva and bacteria combine to form plaque. This plaque then calcifies and hardens into tartar, which provides a safe haven for bacteria to multiply.

The accumulation of bacteria laden plaque and tartar will lead to oral health issues, most commonly, periodontal disease. Our pets are also at risk for broken teeth, orthodontic problems, and even cavities. All of these issues can affect our pet’s oral health, obviously, but studies have shown that there is a correlation between oral health issues and systemic general health issues affecting the kidneys, heart, and metabolic systems. In other words, bad breath and tartar can lead to a sick pet.

It’s not uncommon for pet parents to tell me that they don’t believe that their pets are in pain from dental disease. Most animals are incredible stoic to chronic pain. This is in part, due to that in the wild showing pain was a sign of weakness and weakness didn’t serve them well. But if you’ve ever had a toothache, you know the meaning of pain. Studies have shown that dogs and cats have similar pain thresholds to human. So needless to say, they are affected by dental health issues.

Now you may be asking yourself is there anything we can be doing to prevent and reverse dental disease? Absolutely! It all starts with preventative dental care. Here are some tips on how to practice good dental care that will extend your pet’s life.

Pearly Whites!

The best thing we can do for our pets teeth is brush them, and I mean daily. We don’t brush our teeth once a week or once a month. The same principles apply to our pets. Dr. Fraser Hale, a certified veterinary dentist, has put together an informative article on how to brush your pet’s teeth. Below is a condensed version of their 5 step approach. I suggest taking the time to read ‘dental care for your pet’ as it’s full of helpful tips and tricks.

To clean the inside surfaces of your pet’s teeth:

1. Place your hand over your pet’s muzzle from the top
2. Gently squeeze and push their lips on one side between the back teeth
3. Pull their head back gently so their mouth opens
4. Brush their teeth on the opposite side
5. Repeat this process for the other side

Daily brushing of your pet’s teeth is the gold standard for preventative dental care but there are other alternatives that can help. When we brush our teeth it’s not the toothpaste that is doing the majority of the work, but rather the mechanical action of the toothbrush. There are now diets on the market that leverage this knowledge and that have been designed to simulate the action of toothbrushes. Most kibbles out there are small and brittle. So when, or in some cases if, our pets chew their kibble it crumbles apart and does nothing for their teeth. Dental diets are formulated so that their teeth sink into the kibble which in turn scrub them clean.

In addition to dental diets there are now dental treats. Some work on the same principles as dental diets whereas others have enzymes in them to help dissolve plaque. There is a plethora of options on the market and finding the right ones can be daunting. A helpful guideline is to look for foods and treats with a specific seal of approval from the VOHC – the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Products with their seal of approval have undergone additional testing to prove that they help retard plaque and tartar buildup.

Daily oral care is vital but doesn’t replace the need for routine dental exams and cleanings by your veterinarian. Dental exams should be a routine part of your pet’s physical exams. They can help identify dental disease early, and appropriate treatment plans can be discussed.

With proper daily oral care, routine veterinary exams, and a healthy diet, you will make a positive difference in the overall health of your pets.

Want to read a little more from me on pet dental health. Check out this blog post.

Opinions expressed in this article are opinions of the writer and not necessarily those of Bark n’ Yapp.

About Brendon Laing 7 Articles

Dr. Brendon Laing is a practicing small animal veterinarian with an entrepreneurial spirit who is always looking for new ways to serve pet parents and the community. Dr. Laing received his bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University and his veterinary degree from OVC, where he was the recipient of the prestigious Small Animal Surgery Award from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons. After graduation, he joined his father in practice at Town & Country Animal Hospital, making them a rare father-son team. When he isn’t caring for his patients, Brendon is actively involved in the community; he has been providing veterinary advice as Whistle Radio’s resident veterinarian for the past 3 years and loves presenting to children at his local 4H club. Brendon also currently sits on the OVMA board of directors where he helps shape the future of the veterinary profession. Brendon’s passion for improving veterinary care has driven him to pursue a new practice model aimed at providing on-demand mobile veterinary services. He believes that technology will be the cornerstone of future veterinary practices, enabling veterinarians to surpass the expectations of today’s well-educated and service minded pet parents.