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We are taught from a young age to brush their teeth
regularly to ward off gingivitis and other dental problems,
however, we often forget that these very same diseases affect our
pets too. For effective oral health for pets, it's important to
look at several facets of a pet's lifestyle.
Games
While various backyard sports are enjoyed by all the family,
there are some sports which can be just a little too rough for your
dog. For example, when playing cricket with a cricket ball, there is
the chance that your dog will try and catch the ball in its mouth,
this can easily result in broken teeth. Broken teeth are not easily,
nor cheaply, fixed as it may require a specialist canine dentist to
make and fit a 'false' tooth.
 Nutrition
Although most commercially produced pet foods provide a balanced
diet, tinned foods, meat rolls and even raw meats like mince, are
very soft and mushy and can't act as an abrasive to naturally clean
teeth.
An
excellent addition to the pet food market was the introduction of
dry biscuits that are now a very common style of food for most pets.
As they are hard and crunchy, they rub against the teeth whilst the
pet is chewing. There are even some specific pet food formulas that
have been manufactured with this purpose in mind.
Although feeding your pet dry biscuits certainly
helps, giving your pet bones to chew on regularly is not only
another effective solution, but a tasty one for your pet too!
Accessories
Yes, you can buy a toothbrush for your pet! Most veterinary
clinics will stock a toothbrush which has been specially designed to
fit over your finger and has a small brush head, perfect for using
on your dog or cat. There are also toothpastes available for pets.
Human toothpaste cannot be used due to the fact that it's too high
in fluoride and our pets can't spit.
However,
the hardest part of actually brushing your pet's teeth is keeping
them still! Most people find that unless you start brushing your
pet's teeth when they are young, it may be more difficult to get
them use to it as they get older.
Age
We have all heard the saying 'getting long in the tooth' which
simply indicates the aging problem. The majority of older pets will
have experienced or will be experiencing tooth and gum problems, in
fact, the state of advanced plaque on a pet's teeth is often used as
a reasonably accurate indicator of a pet's age.
Habits
The humble tennis ball is a common dog toy. However, vets will
agree that they can cause severe wearing down of the teeth when
chewed constantly. The fibre on a common tennis ball is very
abrasive and over time can wear a dog's teeth right back to the
gums.
Another
way that this can occur is through excessive self-grooming or when a
pet is constantly biting and chewing its own fur due to itchiness
caused by skin conditions. Seeking relief for the original skin
condition will ensure that this never happens.
Hints
The most obvious signs of teeth and gum disease are bad breath
and dribbling. What you smell is literally rotting tissue. Not only
is this very unpleasant for you and your pet, but it can eventually
be dangerous to your pet's health as abscesses, blood poisoning and
serious illness can result from mouth infections.
Breeds
Some breeds of dog and cat are actually more susceptible to
dental problems than others. For example, dogs with short or
pushed-in faces such as the Pug, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Pekingese,
Shih Tzu, and Tibetan Spaniel; or cats such as Persians, may be more
prone to dental problems. The bone structure of their skulls can
sometimes mean that there isn't enough room for all of their teeth
or that their teeth will grow at incorrect angles and may eventually
cause gum damage. |
