Many people don’t appreciate the importance of good dental health in cats and dogs. Many of the patients we see have large amounts of tartar on their teeth. This can lead to gingivitis, periodontal disease, painful tooth abscesses, and tooth loss. Cats are sometimes affected by painful enamel loss at the gum line called feline resorptive lesions. Bad teeth can even affect other body systems such as heart valves and kidneys. We have seen patients over the years that, after having their dental problems corrected, have become more pleasant and playful and started chewing their toys again. Many of these patients had been suffering from unrecognized dental pain.
Preventative dental care is also a great idea! There are a number of things that can help keep teeth in great shape. Brushing daily with a wet soft bristle tooth brush is ideal. Do not use people tooth paste because it’s really hard to train cats and dogs to rinse and spit, so they may ingest too much fluoride. If desired, poultry flavored veterinary toothpaste is available. We also recommend Oravet sealant to deter tartar. We can apply base coat of Oravet after a cleaning and maintenance Oravet is applied at home weekly. Some patients may be good candidates for a vaccine against some of the major bacteria which cause periodontal disease. For pets that don’t let you brush, there is a food called Science Diet T/D Canine or Science Diet T/D Feline which is specially formulated to cause brushing action as it is chewed. Lastly, CET chews are a rawhide-like treat with special enzymes to promote dental health.
If your pet has bad breath, no longer plays with chew toys, or seems to have any sign of oral discomfort, please schedule a check up today!