Dental

Dental care for your pet should begin at home. Many people don’t realize that it is possible to brush their dogs or cats teeth. While it is best to start when they are very young and more accepting of it, they can be taught to endure it at any age. Puppies and kittens usually develop their permanent teeth by the time they are 3 or 4 months old. A special toothbrush can be obtained from a dentist or a pet store. If a human toothbrush is to be used, a soft brush should be chosen. Human toothpaste is not suitable for pets as it can irritate the stomach if swallowed. Your vet can recommend the appropriate toothpaste and give tips on the best way to get your pet used to brushing.

Another thing that can be done at home is to keeping table scraps away from pets. The reason pets can get away without brushing is that their diets are not high in sugar like ours. Pet foods are designed to keep the teeth healthy. A pet who eats a lot of table scraps run a higher risk of having serious dental problems than a pet who does not. Many pet treats are bad for the teeth as well. Your dog may not understand why you won’t let him eat table scraps or treats anymore but he will be glad you didn’t.

It is important to keep up with regular vet checkups. The vet will do a dental exam to check for problems. If there are problems present, he can do a dental cleaning of the teeth or possibly an extraction, a filling, dental implant, and many of the common dental procedures done on humans. Some dogs even have to wear braces to help close their mouths correctly. Some of the more complicated procedures may require a veterinary dental specialist. Dental treatment, however, can be pricey for pets and most people don’t have insurance to cover their pet.

Left untreated, dental problems can lead to infections that can affect the pet’s vital organs. Bad breath can be a sign of serious dental problems. To many people, a pet is like a family member. Taking good care of his teeth will keep him healthy longer and keep him with the family as long as possible.