Mom Can You Pleeeease Brush My Teeth!

We rarely hear that from our kids but if our pets could talk … you just might. Like people, they experience the accumulation of plaque on their teeth, get bad breath and can have dental issues. The first thing many of us see is when plaque solidifies into tartar.

Why do pets get dental problems? Most pets eat a diet that doesn’t require aggressive ripping and chewing any more. They walk up to the bowl and eat a balanced diet with very little effort. They also live a lot longer than in the wild, which gives more time for problems to develop.

Tooth brushing is the best thing you can do to keep your pet’s teeth clean.  Chewing on something is the next best thing, but be careful. If the object is too hard it can break a tooth or wear their teeth down. If you can knock a nail into a piece of wood with the chew toy, it is too hard for their teeth. Did you know tennis balls are one of the worst things to chew on because nylon is very abrasive? To be safe ask your veterinarian for suggestions.

Humans get cavities and cats get something similar. You might see a small red spot on your cat’s tooth at the gum line. Despite being small, it can be painful.  Cats are also prone to gingivitis. This appears as a bright red line affecting the gums where they make contact with the teeth. A dental cleaning can help clear this up.

Dogs tend to get periodontal disease – bone loss around the tooth root that isn’t always visible until an x-ray is taken. It’s caused by bacteria migrating down the tooth root and causes pain whenever they chew.

While veterinarians can fill cavities, apply crowns and perform root canals, it’s more common to extract (remove) the teeth. Your pet can spare them (they have lots). Plus, these repairs are usually expensive as they’re typically performed by a specialist.

When it comes to your furry little one, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Pick up a toothbrush and help keep their teeth clean and breath fresh!

Dr. I. Wonder is here to answer your questions regarding your furry family members. If you have a question, email it to us at danielle@NeighbourhoodPetClinic.com. Our team at Neighbourhood Pet Clinic will tap into their collective experience to answer your various questions.