We love our dogs and cats; so much that we often go to great lengths to keep them neat and tidy. Grooming, shampooing, nail and claw trimming…you name it. There’s nothing nicer than a clean and healthy furry friend. Sadly, one of the most important hygiene routines – dental care – is often overlooked. As much as we may despise our yearly visits to the dentist, even dogs and cats need some dental TLC to keep their precious teeth in good condition.

So, where to begin? Before you pick up a toothbrush, consider these facts from Dr. Robert Mansfield, D.V.M. of Granite Bay Veterinary Clinic. He says the essentials of pet dental health can be divided into two categories: home care and oral health assessment provided by your veterinarian.

Let’s start with home care. According to Dr. Mansfield, the cornerstone to home care is the owner brushing the pet’s teeth. “Brush training should be started early, so at three years of age the brushing is done daily,” he says. “Special diets, treats and water additives will augment but not replace brushing.”

But don’t stop at a daily routine. Your veterinarian should provide an in-depth oral health assessment (OHA). “This is done with the aid of general anesthesia so the entire circumference of each tooth can be probed, charted and evaluated for disease,” notes Dr. Mansfield. “X-rays will provide evidence of disease below the gum line which cannot be found by visual inspection.” In addition, your vet will have your pet’s teeth cleaned and polished. Dr. Mansfield suggests you schedule your first OHA at three years of age.

What could happen if your pet’s dental health goes largely ignored? Just think of the potential damage if YOU stopped brushing or flossing your teeth. Dr. Mansfield says periodontal disease is one of the big consequences of not maintaining good oral health. “Periodontal disease is infection of the support structures of the tooth,” he shares. “Once started, this infection will continue forever…causing Inflammation and pain in the mouth as well as possible systemic effects on the heart, kidneys and the immune system.” Yikes!

However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Dr. Mansfield says that pets that have had good oral care live an average of two years longer than pets that have had no oral care. “Good oral health leads to a happy, healthy life and no bad breath.” Now that’s something to bark about! •

For Guidelines for Better Pet Dental Health from Dr. Mansfield, click here.

Article by Darren Elms © Style Media Group. 

Article appears in the Fall 2011 Issue of Family Health & Wellness Magazine published by Style Media Group.