It’s no secret that we, as humans, need to maintain our oral hygiene. No matter what your routine is to keep your teeth clean and protected, you’ll make sure your mouth is spotless.
The same can be said about the four-legged friends you have in your house.
Taking proper care of your pet’s teeth is really important. There is a chance that tartar and plaque can build up over time.
This can also lead to agonizing periodontal disease, which can cause illness and spread to other organs. The good news is that this can easily be prevented.
We’re here to put your fears at ease with these five easy ways to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy!
1. Watch out for Bad Breath
There’s nothing worse than having bad breath, and it’s even worse when it comes from your pet’s mouth. Especially when they’re all up in your face trying to show you love.
The first warning sign of periodontal disease is bad breath. It’s true for both humans and animals. The presence of a musky scent in your pet’s mouth could also lead to other oral diseases like stomatitis.
Stomatitis is a common condition in cats that causes agonizing inflammation in the gums and mouth tissues. There are other signs too, such as yellow or brown teeth, bleeding gums, missing or loose teeth, and pawing at the mouth.
Make sure to check your pet’s breath regularly. It’s best to catch these things early.
2. Brush, Brush, Brush!
The key to brushing sessions is to make them light and fun for your pets. That means you need to have lots of patience and plenty of tasty treats ready nearby.
Make your pet feel comfortable and safe by giving them your undivided attention and praising them. Start by letting your pet get familiar with their toothbrush and toothpaste first – this is very important.
Once they’ve gotten used to it, gradually start brushing their teeth. Increase the time on each side every time and have those treats nearby.
There’ll be times when your pet will be reluctant and difficult to deal with. It’s best to let them be when that happens. This is a process that will take some getting used to, but they’ll be used to it soon enough.
3. Dental Essentials and Treats
Cats and dogs have special toothbrushes designed just for them. Normal toothbrush like ours won’t get the job done. The softest of brushes will feel rough to them.
For example, rubber type brushes that fit just over your finger are the best for your dog’s teeth. Once they get used to that, you can switch to a handled one that will do a much better job.
Keep in mind to never use the toothpaste you use for your teeth on your pet. Cats and dogs have their own toothpaste with fun flavors to get your pets interested in them. They are safe and can be found in most pet stores.
As for treats, you can get dental treats for your pets when they don’t feel like getting their teeth brushed. They’re designed specifically to help maintain their teeth and gums.
Dental toys might not be as effective as brushing itself, however, they do get the job done.
4. Visit the Vet
Just like we need regular dentist appointments, your pets need to get checked out by a veterinarian regularly. It’s important to know your pet’s medical history and it’s important the vet knows too.
Take your pets to the vet and ask for a dental exam. Your vet will check for all the identifying signs, such as bad breath. Next, they’ll check for abnormalities around their head and neck.
Lastly, they will check the gums and teeth for bleeding, redness, inflammation, cracked or loose teeth, cancerous bumps and, finally, tartar. Normally these exams are done using a sedative, but your pet might get aggressive if their teeth are causing agonizing pain.
Similarly, for a full, thorough dental evaluation, your pets will have to go under anyway. Make sure you ask as many questions beforehand.
5. Going Under for a Dental Cleaning
As we mentioned before, for a thorough examination of your pet’s teeth and gums they’ll have to be sedated. That way, the vet can get rid of any plaque and nasty tartar build-up.
The situation might seem scary, but it’s completely fine and safe. In fact, these examinations have never been safer. They will be comfortable and won’t feel any pain whatsoever.
Before your vet begins to use anesthesia, your pets will need to go through some screening tests. This is done to ensure that they are in top-notch condition to go through the procedure.
So, have no fear, stay with your pet and that’s it. Don’t forget to shower them with lots of love and yummy treats after they’ve recovered!
Final Thoughts
There are many benefits to maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine for your pets.
You’ll minimize the possible risks of putting your pets under and prevent the onset of any serious oral diseases as well. Instead, your pets will have shiny teeth, better breath, and healthy gums.
Maintaining a healthy oral hygiene care routine means their organs will also be protected. The goal here is to turn their oral hygiene care into a bonding session with you.
So, make sure you check your pet’s breath regularly, brush their teeth regularly if you can, and take them to visit the vet often.
