At my dental office in St. Joseph, we love animals, and we want to let all of our patients know that dental care for pets is just as important to keeping your furry loved ones healthy as it is to keeping your own smile healthy. While we don’t accept four-legged patients, we do want to provide you with some insight to proper pet dental care.
Signs of a Problem
Before we discuss how to keep your pet healthy, it’s extremely important to know the signs of some serious dental concerns.
Bad breath
Loose teeth
Excessive drooling
Bleeding
Refusal to let you near the mouth
If you notice any of these symptoms, please contact your vet as soon as possible as they may be signs of something serious.
Chew on This
Anyone who has ever owned a puppy can attest to the fact that dogs specifically have a natural desire to chew. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing (we know, tell that your favorite pair of now-shredded slippers). Chewing helps strengthen teeth, massage gums, and scrape away tartar. So stock up on chew toys and let them chomp away.
Brush, Brush, Brush
Clean teeth are just as important to pets as they are for humans. Like their owners, pets can develop serious dental disease that not only affects their mouths, but their whole body. Certain dental problems can lead to heart, lung, or kidney disease. Don’t take pet dental care lightly. It’s recommended that all pets receive professional cleanings at the vet once a year. In between those visits, you can brush at home. All it takes is a clean piece of gauze wrapped around a finger, some pet-friendly toothpaste, and some practice. Get in the habit and brush two or three times a week.
Following the advice above can help keep your pet’s teeth healthy for a lifetime. Following a proper at-home oral health care routine and maintaining appointments at my St. Joseph dental office can help keep your own health in its best shape. Don’t let dental problems plague you or your pet. Make the commitment to proper oral health.
Welcoming patients from St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, South Bend, and nearby neighborhoods.
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