Remember when your mom used to remind you to brush your teeth well when you were five? She even made brushing your teeth fun and enjoyable! That’s because dental health is too important to ignore. Ironically, in pets, teeth health is often overlooked by pet parents. While your dog’s breath doesn’t always smell fresh, it shouldn’t stink that bad. Just like in humans, bad breath in pets is usually a sign of a dental problem.
Your pet’s dental health will affect his quality of life and temperament. When ignored, preventable dental diseases can damage your pet’s internal organs. So we’ve gathered some tips from our expert vets at Bannon Woods to help you spot dental problems in your pets and provide better dental care to your furry friends. Read on.
1. Take a quick breath test.
Bad breath is a common sign of dental diseases in dogs and cats. Your pet’s breath doesn’t always have to smell great. However, it shouldn’t be bad enough to make you gag. When your pet’s breath makes you recoil, that may be a sign of tooth decay.
2. Examine your pet’s gums and teeth.
Healthy gums in dogs should be a bubble gum pink color. When pressed with your finger, it should turn white or pale pink and then quickly return to the normal pink color when you take your finger off the gums. If the gums are white, red, swollen, or bleeding, it may be a sign of periodontal disease. Schedule a dental check-up with your vet immediately when you see these signs.
Also, your pet shouldn’t have any loose teeth and all his teeth must be clean, with no brown tartar buildup.
3. Check for tooth decay and other signs of dental problems.
Decayed teeth can be excruciatingly painful for dogs. In fact, it can make them very irritable. Many pet parents are unaware of this but teeth health can greatly affect your dog’s behavior.
So you’ll want to check for tooth decay and tartar buildup. Plaque and tartar deposits can cost your dog his teeth or worse, if some bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can cause complications in your pet’s vital organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Your dog may show some signs of dental problems in their behaviors too. See if your dog chews on one side of his mouth, has difficulty eating, avoids head touch, and stops playing with his favorite toys. These behaviors could be a sign that he’s suffering from dental pain.
4. Brush your pet’s teeth regularly.
Most dental diseases are preventable and they can be prevented by simply maintaining good oral hygiene in your pet. Unfortunately, your dog or cat can’t brush their own teeth. So just like what your mom did when you were young, make brushing your pet’s teeth a routine.
Choose a certain time of the day when your dog has had enough exercise. He’s more likely to sit still when he has spent his energy. Start by brushing your dog’s teeth slowly and gently. If your dog gets agitated, stop it right away. You can also make brushing a positive experience for your dog by giving him his favorite treats every time he allows you to brush his teeth.
5. Seek professional teeth cleaning services from your veterinarian.
It’s nearly impossible to brush your pet’s teeth adequately two to three times a day. This is why your vet is just one call away! With yearly teeth cleaning and intermittent brushing at Bannon Woods, you can keep your pet’s teeth in great shape and prevent dental diseases.
Your dogs and cats need yearly dental cleaning from the hands of professionals. Doing this regularly will ensure that your pet gets the best quality of life possible. Our vets at Bannon Woods Hospital provide teeth cleaning services, digital dental radiology, and oral surgery for pets so they can live happier lives.
6. Schedule a visit to your vet at Bannon Woods when you see any signs of dental problems.
Always check your pet’s mouth every week or so. If you notice any of these signs of dental problems, then take your pet to Bannon Woods.
- Bad breath
- Difficulty chewing or eating
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Grumpy behavior
- Excessive drooling
- Misaligned or missing teeth
- Discolored, broken, missing, or crooked teeth
- Red, swollen, painful, or bleeding gums
- Yellowish-brown tartar crust along the gum line
- Bumps or growths within the mouth
Schedule a consultation at Bannon Woods to improve your pet’s oral health. We offer complete dental care for your dogs and cats ranging from teeth cleaning to oral surgery. If you haven’t visited a vet to check your pet’s dental health, now is the perfect time to do it. With a professional’s advice for teeth health at Bannon, you can save from unnecessary dental work by keeping your pet’s mouth healthy and disease-free.