Pet Dental Health Month is Taking Off!
As a pet owner, do you wonder if there are things you could be doing at home to protect your pet's teeth? Is bad breath a sign of dental disease, or just normal for pets? Does your pet really need a dental cleaning every year?
In this article, we'll talk about all of these commonly asked questions, plus go over some great products you can use at home to keep your pet's mouth healthy between cleanings.
Isn't "dog breath" normal?
While it's true your pet's breath is never going to smell like your favorite after dinner mint, offensive breath is often one of the first indicators of periodontal disease. Tartar causing bacteria in the mouth is probably what you are smelling when your pet's breath is making you turn away from those kisses - and very offensive breath can be an indicator of a broken tooth or abscess in the mouth. Breath sweetening products sold over the counter at many pet stores does not solve the underlying problem - and if left untreated, periodontal disease poses a very real threat to your pet's health.
I had my pet's teeth cleaned last year; surely they don't need it already!
Did you know that tartar causing bacteria begins to build up in your pet's mouth in as little as one day after their dental procedure? This not only makes home care vital, but actually means the ideal timeframe to go between dental cleanings would be a mere three months! With regular home care, Yorkshire Veterinary Hospital recommends cleaning your pet's teeth at least once each year. Regular cleanings now can save you hundreds of dollars when your pet gets older and doesn't need root canals or extractions.
Does having my pet's teeth cleaned really make a difference?
We'll let you be the judge of that one, check out these before and after pictures:
Before:
After:
These results speak for themselves! Not only are this dog's teeth whiter in appearance, his risk for advanced periodontal disease later in life has been reduced - but our job isn't over, he needs regular home care to help him hold on to these amazing results!
Isn't brushing my dog's teeth really a gimmick for veterinarians and supply companies to make money?
You brush your teeth at least twice a day to prevent plaque from forming and tartar from building up on your teeth. What would happen if you didn't? Not only would people around you start keeping their distance, you would be guaranteed to develop painful dental problems. Our pet's mouths are no different, and home care that you can provide really does have enormous benefit to their overall health. We understand that each pet is an individual, and some are less "cooperative" than others when it comes to taking care of their teeth! At Yorkshire Veterinary Hospital, we have developed a "Good, Better, Best" protocol to suit every type of pet and owner.
Good:
This water additive is not ideal, but for the pet owner who is unable to provide any other home care, it is better than no home care whatsoever. If you use this additive, please make sure that your pet has access to an alternate water source - some pets refuse to drink their water once you've put it in, and can be at risk for dehydration. You can purchase this product here at Yorkshire!
Better:
Oral Hygiene Rinse, used once daily for dogs and cats. This rinse contains an antiseptic called chlorhexidine, which helps prevent plaque from forming in your pet's mouth. It will also help freshen your pet's breath, if used as directed between regular dental cleanings. This rinse can be purchased at Yorkshire Veterinary Hospital!
Best:
The very best home care you can provide for your pet is daily tooth brushing. We know it might sound impossible, but you can accustom your pet to having their teeth brushed, and we've got lots of yummy flavors of toothpaste to sweeten the deal. Because it contains fluoride and other substances not suitable for pets, do not use human toothpaste. A variety of toothpastes and brushes are available at Yorkshire Veterinary Hospital! We'd be happy to schedule a consultation with one of our Certified Veterinary Technicians to help you learn how to brush your pet's teeth. Call us at 719-598-3192!
Don't forget the chews!
Whichever option you chose - Good, Better, or Best, these chews are a great treat that your pet will love. They'll never even notice the health benefits, we promise! These chews come in varieties for dogs or cats, and contain the antiseptic chlorhexidine to help prevent plaque from forming in the mouth. You can purchase these at Yorkshire Veterinary Hospital!
Remember, every pet three years old and over should have an annual dental cleaning along with daily home care to ensure that their mouths stay healthy! Dental health is vital to their overall health - call us to schedule your pet's dental during the month of February and receive a 10% discount!
Top
Contact
1815 Dublin Blvd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Get Directions
- Phone: 719-598-3192
- Fax: 719-598-9342
- Email Us
