StemCell Therapy

February is Dental Health Care Month. That applies to both dogs and humans.

My first experience with veterinary dentistry was 20 about years ago. Other than learning that brushing our dog's teeth was important, our dogs never had dental problems. Then Bourbon, our Doberman/German shepherd mix, snatched a frozen homemade dog cookie from the table where it was defrosting and broke a tooth.

Bourbon didn't need a root canal, but in an attempt to save the tooth, our veterinarian suggested looking into a crown for it. At that time, the availability of veterinary specialty dental practices was limited in our area, so we traveled a distance to find one.

According to the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, there was an upsurge in veterinary dentistry in the 1980s. .

In addition to fractured or broken teeth, dogs (and cats) can have a variety of dental problems. The American Veterinary Dental Society reports more than 80% of dogs and 70% of cats develop some signs of gum disease by age 3.

The Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and the American Veterinary Dental Society describe periodontal disease and its warning signs.

Periodontal disease may have a serious affect on a pet's health. In addition to receding gums, loosening and eventual loss of teeth, studies have shown the kidneys, liver and even the heart can be affected.

Gum disease is an infection and inflammation of the gums caused by bacteria present in plaque and tartar. The problem begins when plaque and tartar build up on the pet's teeth, especially below the gum line.

The warning signs of gum disease include bad breath, a yellow brown crust of tartar around the gum line, pain or bleeding when the pet eats or when you touch his teeth.

The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends prevention as the key to helping pets maintain good oral health. They recommend three steps:

Visit your veterinarian. A veterinarian will conduct a physical examination as part of the dental examination.

Start a dental care routine at home. The dental health of your dog starts with regular brushing. Ideally, you should start when they are young, between 8-12 weeks. But it is never too late to start.

Petmaster.com suggests instructions on how to gently and effectively brush your dog's teeth:

To introduce the process, dip your hands in peanut butter or something your dog loves to eat and allow him to lick it off your fingers. As he does this, slowly and gently rub your finger along his teeth and gums. After several days of practice, teach him to open his mouth using treats as rewards.

Use a dog toothbrush and dog toothpaste. Human toothpaste contains fluoride, which is toxic to dogs.

Scratch you dog's muzzle and gently pet him while lifting his lip for about 30 seconds. Then, as you do the above, gently rub your fingers through his teeth for 20-30 seconds.

Put a small amount of dog-friendly toothpaste on a toothbrush, allowing your dog to lick it off. (I have found I could encourage my dog by first having him lick the toothpaste off my finger and then have him lick it off the toothbrush.) This step allows your dog to get used to the taste. If he doesn't seem to like it, try another flavor.

Now you can start brushing. The outer surface of the dog's teeth is the most important, so brush each side for 20-30 seconds. Remember, this is a new experience for your dog, so take it slow and be gentle. If your dog is resistant, stop ad try again another day. It may take several weeks for your dog to get used to having his teeth brushed.

Brush your dog's teeth when he is tired, after a lengthy walk or a playtime session.

If a toothbrush isn't working, you may want to use dental wipes or a dog finger toothbrush. If at any time your dog shows signs of discomfort or aggression, stop brushing immediately. He may be uncomfortable, fearful or in pain.

For information, you can download the e-book "Tooth Brushing Basics" from the American Kennel Club, or go to webmed.com and/or other sites that offer video demonstrations.

The third step the American Veterinary Dental Society recommends is to get regular veterinary dental checkups. Your veterinarian needs to monitor the progress of your pet's preventive dental care routine much the same way a dentist monitors your dental health.

Oral health is important to the health of our dogs. They depend on us to do it right.

The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit http://www.thebuddyfoundation.org.

Excerpt from:
Brushing your dog's teeth helps with overall health - Chicago Daily Herald

This entry was posted on February 14, 2021 at 7:29 pm and is filed under Veterinary Medicine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |