If you own a pet, youโve probably heard by now that you
should
brush your pet's teeth.
Whether or not youโre actually doing it -- well, thatโs
another story. Even pet parents with the best intentions slack on
this important duty. Maybe you simply forget, or maybe you think
you can get away with brushing just once a week -- or eek -- once
a month. The truth is that you should brush your petโs teeth
daily. And if you understand the reasons why, chances are
youโll stick to that schedule.So why should you brush your petโs
teeth?
1. To Prevent Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease
, or gum disease, is a very common and very serious problem in
pets. Periodontal disease not only causes pain, abscesses, tooth
loss, and infection, it can also impact the brain, heart, liver,
kidney, lungs, skin, and joints. Itโs an irreversible condition,
so prevention is key.
RELATED STORY: 19 Products That
Clean Dog and Cat Teeth
2. To Prevent Bad Breath
Some people think that bad breath
-- also known as halitosis -- is normal in pets, but itโs not. If
your pet has bad breath, something more serious is probably going
on. While bad breath can result from a wide range of diseases, it
is most commonly caused by a periodontal condition. Plaque mixes
with saliva and bacteria to create one foul furry mouth.
Brushing your petโs teeth prevents
the buildup of plaque, and thus bad breath. However, if brushing
doesnโt seem to be keeping your petโs bad breath at bay, contact
your veterinarian
.
3. To Prevent Pain
Periodontal problems can be incredibly painful for a pet, whether
weโre talking about gum disease,
gingivitis, abscesses, or broken
teeth. And most pets donโt show it when theyโre feeling dental
pain; they just go on living with it. Pretty sad, right? To
prevent your pal from feeling discomfort, keep up with regular
brushing.
4. To Check For Problems
Brushing your petโs teeth is a great opportunity to check for
problems such as fractured or broken teeth, retained baby teeth,
abnormally positioned teeth, and abnormal bite. These issues can
all cause problems for a pet, so you should contact your
veterinarian if you ever notice anything unusual while examining
their mouth.RELATED STORY: 5 Easy
Ways to Improve Your Dogโs Dental Health
5. To Keep Their Teeth Looking Their Best
Most pets will exhibit some mild tooth discoloration as they age,
but itโs possible to avoid heavily stained yellow, brown, or
green (yes, green!) teeth with regularly brushings. Heavy
staining is caused by bacteria found in plaque, and brushing
helps to remove it.
Do you brush your petโs teeth? Leave a comment and tell us
your technique. And to keep your pet healthy, sign up for
PetPlus. PetPlus is a benefit program for pet owners
that provides member-only access to medications at wholesale
prices, plus discounts on food, supplies, vet visits, boarding,
and more.
19 Products That Clean Cat and Dog Teeth
A healthy mouth is a beautiful thing. Strong, pain-free cat and
dog teeth, good breath, and the ability to comfortably eat are
all functions of a healthy mouth and teeth. Our furry friends
also use their mouths to pick things up and move them, to clean
themselves, and to show affection. Good dental health is
important.
It may come as a surprise that dental care is often undervalued
in comparison with other health concerns for pets. Make sure your
vet is doing a thorough check of the teeth and mouth. To ensure
that your cat or dogโs dental health is up to par, take a gander
at some of these top dental care products.
Pet Toothpaste
It isnโt just for people. Toothpaste helps break down the sugars
that can damage teeth and gums in your pet. These pet toothpastes
are specially formulated to taste good enough that your pet will
be excited to get their teeth brushed.
C.E.T. Enzymatic
Toothpaste
- Fights both current and future
plaque build-up
- Strengthens enamel and whitens
teeth
- Helps freshen breath
Petrodex Toothpaste for
Dogs
- Tasty poultry flavor
- The enzymatic formula helps
separate plaque from the tooth enamel
- Freshens breath
Triple Pet Toothpaste
- Great vanilla flavor
- All natural sugar free
toothpaste is sweetened with stevia, an herb, and uses just a
touch of tea tree oil to promote healthy gums
Check out other toothpastes
Toothbrushes and Dental Picks
A good toothbrush is easy to use, reaches all the places it has
to, and stands up to some wear and tear. In fact, in the case of
most cats and dogs, it has to stand up to a lot of biting,
clawing, and gnawing. These tools are tough enough for the job.
C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for
Dogs
- Each kit includes a finger
brush, dual ended toothbrush with two brushing heads, and a
2.5-ounce tube of flavored enzymatic toothpaste
- Helps to neutralize mouth
odors with natural antibacterial action
Quadbrush Toothbrush with
Holder
- The ultimate pet toothbrush
for your dog
- Special ergonomic design wraps
around teeth for maximum reach and the cleanest clean
- Safe, complete, and thorough
cleaning for pets
Find more toothbrushes and dental
picks
Dental Medications
When an infection occurs in the mouth it can be painful enough to
disrupt eating. Donโt disrupt your petโs flow of nutrition; get
them the medicine that will start the healing process. Here are a
few common oral infection medicines.
Clavamox
- Treats a variety of bacterial
infections including canine periodontal disease and abcesses in
the mouth
- A penicillin based
anti-bacterial
- Works for both cats and dogs
Antirobe Caps
- A highly effective antibiotic
used to treat dental infections such as an infected mouth cavity
- Easy to administer capsules
- Results can be seen in as
little as fifteen minutes after the administered dosage
Metronidazole
- An antimicrobial antibiotic
used for the effective treatment of oral infections like
periodontal disease
- May also be used with other
types of antibiotics such as penicillin, some cephalosporins, and
amino-glycosides
See all of our dental medications
Dental Chews
Dental chews are the easy, tasty way to get a little more dental
health into your dog or catโs day. These delicious treats clean
teeth and freshen breath as they get chewed up.
St Jon Petrodex Dental
Chews
- The chews' unique texture and
enzymatic formula help clean dogโs teeth and gums
- The enzymatic solution is
activated by your dogโs saliva
- Real beef hide taste
Dingo Dental Sticks
- Cleans teeth with natural
baking soda
- Made with real chicken bits
- Sized for all dogs
Nylabone Dental Dog Chew
- Specially designed shape
includes dental tips that remove tartar and plaque and massage
gums
- Good for any dog who loves to
chew, from hard chewers to teething pups
C.E.T Hextra Premium Chews for
Dogs
- Chews are coated with
exclusive patented 10% solution of chlorhexidine gluconate, a
well-known antiseptic that continues working for up to 24 hours
- Made with real beef hide for
flavor and natural abrasive cleansing action
C.E.T Hextra Premium Chews for
Cats
- Tasty fish flavor and sized
properly for a catโs mouth
- Coated with chlorhexidine
gluconate, a well-known antiseptic that continues working for up
to 24 hours
- Freshens breath and improves
oral hygiene
Check out more Dental Chews
Healthy Teeth Toys
Not all toys are created equal. These toys are really exercise
objects for active cats and dogs to keep their jaws strong and
their teeth actively chomping away.
Kong Dental
- Constructed of rubber that is
firm enough for the patented Denta-Ridges to clean teeth and
soothe gums
- Features a replaceable braided
rope allowing more feisty pet parents to join in all fashions of
tug games
- Made in America to last a long
time
Nylabone Pro Action Dental Dog
Toy
- Multi-texture design provides
dental stimulation and chewing satisfaction
- Satisfies natural urge to
chew, while reducing tartar and massaging gums
Rawhide White Knotted Bone
- Strong and all-natural bone
will not break and splinter
- A convenient size for smaller
chewers
- Has the natural taste and feel
of a real bone
JW Grass Ball
- Infused with vanilla to
promote chewing
- Gentle spikes for deep teeth
cleaning
- Durable rubber construction
View all of our Healthy Teeth Toys
Dental Sprays and Drinking Additives
Sometimes it is hard getting inside your petโs mouth. These
sprays and liquids have many of the same cleaning powers of a
good toothpaste without requiring all of the elbow grease of
brushing.
Petrodex Dental Spray
- This dental spray makes it
easy to keep your dogโs mouth clean
- Contains no alcohol and
requires no rinsing as it fights bacteria
- Chlorhexidine formula works to
diminish plaque and tartar accumulations, and can either be
applied right to your dogโs mouth, or to dental toys directly
before they are used
C.E.T. Aquadent Drinking Water
Additive
- Formulated by veterinary
dental specialists to help freshen your pet's breath and maintain
oral hygiene
- Mix with your dogโs water and
you are done -- their teeth are cleaned as they drink
- Freshens breath and fights
plaque with glycerine and xylitol
C.E.T. Chlorhexidine Rinse
- For irrigation of the oral
cavity before, during, and immediately after any dental procedure
- Apply liberally to all oral
surfaces
See more Dental Sprays
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