Pet Dental Care
Proper Pet Dental Care Ensures Optimal Health
Clean teeth and healthy gums do more than prevent bad breath for your pet. Good dental care can improve your pet’s quality of life and lifespan. Protect your pet by early and frequent brushing (if it can be done safely).
Why is pet dental health important?
“Bad” breath, while unpleasant for owners, is only one reason to tend to your pet’s dental health. Tartar and plaque accumulation can progress to periodontal disease. Gums may become irritated and lead to bleeding or oral pain. Left unaddressed, tooth roots can become so severely affected that some teeth can loosen and fall out. Worse still, bacteria surrounding the roots may enter the blood stream and infection may travel to vital organs. Studies have shown that dogs with periodontal disease may have microscopic damage to their kidneys, liver, and to the heart valves, causing heart murmurs.
How do I know if my pet has dental disease?
There may be no obvious evidence of oral or dental disease. During routine exams, we may note accumulation of plaque and recommend cleaning to remove tartar and to inspect further for dental disease.
Signs of dental problems include:
Why is pet dental health important?
“Bad” breath, while unpleasant for owners, is only one reason to tend to your pet’s dental health. Tartar and plaque accumulation can progress to periodontal disease. Gums may become irritated and lead to bleeding or oral pain. Left unaddressed, tooth roots can become so severely affected that some teeth can loosen and fall out. Worse still, bacteria surrounding the roots may enter the blood stream and infection may travel to vital organs. Studies have shown that dogs with periodontal disease may have microscopic damage to their kidneys, liver, and to the heart valves, causing heart murmurs.
How do I know if my pet has dental disease?
There may be no obvious evidence of oral or dental disease. During routine exams, we may note accumulation of plaque and recommend cleaning to remove tartar and to inspect further for dental disease.
Signs of dental problems include:
- Bad breath
- Loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar
- Drooling or dropping food from the mouth.
- Head shyness (your pet not wanting you to touch its head, especially in the mouth area)
- Reddened and irritated gums or lesions
- Facial swelling
- Blood on chew toys or in drinking water
- Favoring soft food or refusing food
Preventive dental care recommendations:
Just like for us, oral disease can be painful for cats and dogs. However, cats and dogs may hide chronic pain since it is instinctive to hide signs of weakness.
What pet dental services are offered at Hope Vet Care?
We provide dental evaluations and surgical cleanings for cats and dogs. For more advanced procedures or detailed digital dental X-rays, we refer to West Greenwich Animal Hospital. We will work with you to develop an at-home dental care regimen, including how to effectively brush your cat or dog’s teeth.
How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
We recommend CET toothpaste, which uses enzymes to clean the teeth and is specially formulated for cats and dogs. (Please note you should never use human toothpaste on your pets!) CET toothpaste comes in many flavors and some pets really like the taste. For dogs, we recommend finger toothbrushes. For cats, it is better to use cotton tipped swabs to wipe the teeth.
Please take a look at two videos on brushing your dog or cat’s teeth.
If you have any concerns about your pet’s dental health or suspect he or she has mouth pain, please contact us.
- Daily tooth brushing
- Chew toys and treats designed to remove plaque
- Good quality pet food (a dental diet may be recommended)
- Be alert for any signs of discomfort and try to regularly inspect your pet’s mouth (look for swollen gums, lumps, or discolored or fractured teeth)
Just like for us, oral disease can be painful for cats and dogs. However, cats and dogs may hide chronic pain since it is instinctive to hide signs of weakness.
What pet dental services are offered at Hope Vet Care?
We provide dental evaluations and surgical cleanings for cats and dogs. For more advanced procedures or detailed digital dental X-rays, we refer to West Greenwich Animal Hospital. We will work with you to develop an at-home dental care regimen, including how to effectively brush your cat or dog’s teeth.
How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth
We recommend CET toothpaste, which uses enzymes to clean the teeth and is specially formulated for cats and dogs. (Please note you should never use human toothpaste on your pets!) CET toothpaste comes in many flavors and some pets really like the taste. For dogs, we recommend finger toothbrushes. For cats, it is better to use cotton tipped swabs to wipe the teeth.
Please take a look at two videos on brushing your dog or cat’s teeth.
If you have any concerns about your pet’s dental health or suspect he or she has mouth pain, please contact us.