Dental Care

TOOTH CARE

If tartar or plaque is allowed to build up on your dog's teeth, this scaly deposit will push the gums back and eventually cause the teeth to loosen and fall out. Check the dog's teeth monthly for signs of tartar at the gum line. If you should notice a build-up, have it removed by a professional. If your dog develops offensive breath, this may be a sign of dirty or decayed teeth or diseased tonsils. The good health of your pet's teeth can be maintained by his regular use of a chew product such as Nylabone or Gumabone, which serves to clean the teeth of tartar accumulation and massage and stimulate the gums. With puppies, a crew product helps to relieve the discomfort of the teething stage and prevents the pup's chewing of your furniture and shoes.

Pets Need Dental Care, Too!

During National Pet Dental Health Month each February, pet owners are reminded that dogs and cats need good oral care. An educational campaign to consumers, sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Dental Society with an educational grant provided by Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc., helps pet owners understand the importance of regular dental care for their pets.

Particularly at risk are small dog breeds, such as Pekingese and Shihtzu. Experts say these breeds are more likely to develop tooth problems because their teeth are crowded into small mouths. This can create a haven for plaque buildup.

Cervical line lesions (CLL) are the most common dental disease of domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats that veterinarians examine have CLL. Because the lesions often begin beneath the gumline, owners usually are unaware that there is a problem until the tooth is seriously damaged.

Prevention

Prevention is the key to helping pets maintain good oral health. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends that pet owners follow three important steps:

1. Visit Your Veterinarian

Just as dental visits are the cornerstone of a human dental program, visiting a veterinarian is the key to ensuring the health of your pet's teeth. A veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical examination of your pet as part of the dental evaluation.

2. Start a dental care routine at home

Removing plaque regularly from your pet's teeth should be part of your pet's home dental care routine. Ask your veterinarian about the procedure for brushing your pet's teeth. Dog owners also may feed specially formulated dietary foods that help reduce the accumulation of plaque and tartar from teeth when the pet eats. Your veterinarian can offer more information on dietary options.

3. Get Regular Veterinary Dental Checkups

The family veterinarian needs to monitor the progress of your pet's preventive dental care routine much the same way a dentist monitors your teeth. Regular dental check-ups are essential. Once a pets teeth display the warning signs (bad breath, a yellowish brown crust around the gum line, pain or bleeding when the pet eats or when you touch its gums this is a sign that gum disease may already be present. For a professional dental check up, call your veterinarian today.

When visiting your vet, here are a few tips:

By Kelly Barron Smartmoney.com

"Sure, I can do root canal on your pup — real dentists are for people."
When John James, an academic adviser in Los Angeles, took his geriatric cockapoo, Amber, to his veterinarian for a chipped tooth, the vet told him his dog needed a root canal and that he could take care of it. Amber died during the procedure. James's lawyer later learned the vet's canine dentistry training came from a weekend course. What's more, elderly Amber should never have been a candidate for the intensive procedure.

How do you know whether your pet is in the hands of a skilled specialist? The AVMA lists 20 specialties for veterinarians, ranging from anesthesiology to dermatology. Legitimate specialists have done graduate work in their specialty and been certified by an industry medical board. Some vets may claim a "special interest" in an area, meaning they've taken some continuing education, but they aren't necessarily certified specialists, says Peter Weinstein, former medical director of Veterinary Pet Insurance in Brea, Calif.

If your pet needs a specialist, check the vet's educational background and certification. Also, ask how many specialized procedures he performs annually. Having a "special interest" may be fine if the vet has enough experience.