28 May Has your pet got dental disease? 5 tips to consider.
Posted at 09:06h
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Does your pet need a ‘dental’?
Dental disease, including periodontal disease and gingivitis is one of the most common preventable health issues affecting pets.
- Check your pets mouth monthly.
Don’t just look at the front teeth as most dental disease affects the molar teeth at the angle of the mouth. A reddish line between the gum and tooth can be a sign of gingivitis. - To bone or not to bone?
I believe that feeding raw meaty bones weekly is the single best method to reduce tartar accumulation and plaque, and besides, dogs love them! Make sure the bone is not cut by the butcher though as this can cause tooth fractures. - Brushing
While inconvenient, brushing your pets teeth using a soft bristle brush and special pet toothpaste can help to reduce biofilm (the sludge bacteria make) on the tooth surface. - Scaling
If calculus (hardened) is present, your veterinarian will have to use a special ultrasonic scaler to remove it. Scaling under the gumline is especially important as this is where the most damaging disease occurs. At our clinic we have a brand new Acteon(TM) piezoelectric scaler that has a special light that shows plaque to ensure after a scaling treatment, no bacteria-harbouring biofilm is left behind. This ensures a more thorough clean and will extend the time between dentals. - Water additives
As a supplement to the oral care regime, your vet might prescribe a water additive like Aquadent. These products aren’t effective on their own, but used in combination with other treatments they can help keeping your pets teeth in top shape.