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Media-Newswire.com) - Just like your own dental health, pet dental care begins in the home – it’s a good idea to make sure Poochie’s pearly whites are in good shape.
Experts say that by taking a few preventative steps, you can help ensure your pet’s dental health for years to come. Brushing, chews and a good diet are all great ways to prevent periodontal disease, but further steps can and should be taken, they explain.
Dr. Johnathon Dodd, clinical associate professor at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, explains the essentials for a healthy dental regimen.
“Brushing is the gold standard for dental health,” Dodd, explains. “It is the best way to clean your pet’s teeth and gums.”
Pediatric and rubber fingertip toothbrushes are great for scrubbing your cat or dog’s teeth. Pets beginning to have their teeth brushed tolerate this better than toothbrushes, and it also creates a bonding time for the pet and owner, Dodd believes.
“Pediatric or finger toothbrushes work great for pets, and ones with a triangular head are best,” says Dodd. “Brushing is the absolute best way to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.”
He says to be sure to use toothpaste specially formulated for your pet. Pet stores offer an abundance of flavored pastes that help make the experience more beneficial and flavorful. Pastes containing enzymatic ingredients or chlorhexidine are great because they serve as an antibacterial and antiseptic in the mouth.
When browsing through dental products, Dodd says it is best to look for ones with a VOHC seal of approval. The VOHC seal represents the Veterinary Oral Health Council. Products with this seal are much like products with the ADA ( American Dental Association ) seal of approval on human dental products. A list of approved products can be found at
http://www.avdc.org/vohc.html.Chew toys also help with dental health, Dodd notes, and they can physically remove tartar from the teeth. An assortment of chews and toys line the aisles of pet stores. Many have ingredients that can do more by having enzymatics and chlorhexidine within the actual chew.
When approaching your pet’s diet, many options are now on the market. Some feeds will mechanically remove tartar from teeth or inhibit the bonding of tartar.
“Hills T/D or Purina DH are some of the more popular foods on the market,” says Dodd. “Another option is to use a water additive. Aquadent is an example, and can be added to your pet’s water to help keep up with home dental health.”
Dodd also stresses the importance of annual dental cleanings. Annual cleanings not only keep your pet’s mouth clean and tartar free, but also allows a professional to view the pet’s mouth and look for problems or potential problems that may not be noticed by owners.
“Brushing is essential in the home, but annual professional cleanings are necessary as well,” explained Dodd. “It is always best to stay in the maintenance mode rather than being forced into a therapeutic situation. Prevention is key.”
Another option for pet owners is a vaccine against periodontal disease. Recently released on the market, the vaccine is an aid and not a sole preventative. The vaccine attacks the bacteria known to cause periodontitis ( inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth ) and helps prevent bone loss around the teeth. As with many vaccines, it is given once, then followed by a booster shot after three weeks, then again once every year.
“No matter what practices you employ to keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy, remember that brushing is the gold standard and annual exams are recommended,” Dodd adds. “By taking the time to maintain good dental health, you avoid some serious and costly damage down the road.”
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