Most people believe that a smile is an important facial feature – not only does it makes you feel good and healthy, but also helps you to chew and bite. Same with animals! So let’s focus a little more on your pet’s teeth this month.
Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs and cats according to statistics from the Australian and American Dental Societies. The accumulation of bacteria laden plaque above the gum line can lead to long term oral health issues. Recent studies have demonstrated there is an association between oral health issues and systemic general health issues affecting the kidney, heart and metabolic systems.
In honour of Pet Dental Healthy month here are 3 tips to keep your four-legged companions happy with healthy smiles!
Did you know there are diets especially formulated to support your dogs and cat dental health?
Hills T/D – is clinically proven nutrition to reduce plaque, stain, & tartar buildup. Thanks to its unique kibble shape and size plus special fibre matrix technology, it cleans the tooth surface and fights bacteria-laden plaque. This diet can be used for lifelong feeding of adult dogs and cats.
Interested to see how it works in comparison to other diets? Check out this great video!
Important! Soft food diets provide no abrasive action against the teeth and can lead to the build up of plaque and bacteria in the mouth.
GREENIES™ Dental Chews – one chew a day helps clean your pet’s teeth by using his natural chewing action to wipe away plaque and tartar buildup from the surface of the teeth. GREENIES™ Dental Chews have The Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Acceptance for plaque and tartar control.
It may sound crazy to brush your pet’s teeth, but it’s something that will help. Bad breath comes from plaque and tartar build up, so brushing will make a big difference. You’ll have to start slowly and work your way up to brushing your dog’s teeth with ease, but it’s definitely something to look into. If you’d like to know more, check out our step by step video or stop in and have a chat with our nurses!
See our article and videos on how to get started!
Regular dental checkups are important to ensure your pet’s teeth and gums are healthy. Our veterinarian will assess your pet’s overall oral health for any trouble areas. If needed, we can book your pet in for a dental procedure. A Dental procedure involves a scale and polish to remove tartar. In cases of advanced stages of periodontal disease animals may need to have some teeth extracted.
We offer FREE dental checks to help our lovely patients maintain their beautiful smiles! Please call to book an appointment.