Good dental health is essential for your animal’s longevity. Here’s how to handle it at home.

You brush your teeth every day, but only 10% of owners do the same for their pets. As a vet, I’m embarrassed to admit that while brushing my own dog’s teeth recently, I found a cancerous tumor that had probably been growing for weeks (luckily, he completely recovered after surgery). We all have slip-ups, but regular lapses in oral care can lead to halitosis, chronic mouth pain, tooth loss, or even the undetected oral tumor! What’s worse, over 80% of dogs and 70% of cats show signs of dental disease by age 3, which can cause bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream, leading to rare but deadly infections in the heart, kidneys, and liver. Here, three tips to keep your pet’s mouth healthy:

1) Brush for 1 minute, once a week
That’s enough to fight plaque buildup and help prevent gingivitis. Using a regular toothbrush is best, but if it’s too hard to maneuver in your pet’s mouth, you can wrap a small piece of pantyhose or cotton gauze pad around your finger instead; for toothpaste, add a dab of a chicken or liver-flavored varieties (available at a pet store or at your vet). To calm a fidgety pet, massage his face and cheeks first, then brush for 10 or 15 seconds, working up to a minute gradually. So you don’t forget, work the brushing sessions into your regular weekly routine—pick the same day and time (Sunday morning, for example) and stick to it. If you spot brown or yellow tartar, set up a professional cleaning.

2) Know what a healthy mouth looks like
Regularly examining your pet's teeth and gums makes it easier to spot any developing abnormalities. After the weekly brushing, lift her cheek flaps and take a closer look. What’s normal: pink gums, white teeth, and decent breath. What’s not: redness near the gum line, bleeding after brushing, discoloration, or irregular growths or masses. Watch your pet’ habits too: If you notice she’s pawing at her face and mouth or chewing differently, it could indicate an unhealthy mouth and warrants a trip to the vet.

3) Get teeth-friendly treats
To keep her teeth clean between brushing (or if she won’t cooperate when you come near her mouth), try a pet-friendly treat designed to help scrape off tartar. Rope chews, rawhides, or even re-formulated Greenies (specially designed goodies designed to remove tarter when eaten) are all good choices; water additives and mouth sprays, on the other hand, aren't all that they're chalked up to be. While these may reduce plaque and tartar buildup, they don't scrape away bacteria the way brushing or dental treats can and often don't taste good - leaving a metallic taste in your pet's mouth and a pet that may not be drinking enough. Find more helpful tips at www.petdental.com.

Heed These Breeds
Miniature Poodles, Yorkshire terriers, and greyhounds are breeds more predisposed to dental disease, and cats with underlying infectious problems—like feline leukemia or feline immunodeficiency virus—are also more likely to suffer from gum disease. If this describes your pet, do a mouth check twice a week and seek vet care immediately if you notice a problem.

Copyright Prevention, by Dr. Justine Lee

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