| PET PRIMER: Pets have teeth too |
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By Hillary Frank, DVM, ABVP (Avian) February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Preventing dental disease is a very important part of caring for your pet, and it is just as important as regular vaccinations and a healthy diet.  A tiny speck of plaque can contain over 1 trillion bacteria. Plaque under the gumline and covering the tooth crown can harden into tartar within 24 hours. Using special diets to help reduce the plaque formation is one easy way to slow the progress of dental disease. Other methods include dental chews, rinses, brushing the teeth with pet toothpaste, and a new protective weekly treatment you can apply at home. Be careful not to allow your pet to chew on items that are too hard such as cow bones and cow hooves, which can easily break teeth. Regular dental cleanings by your veterinarian also are essential to keep your pet healthy. Periodontal pockets or broken teeth can be located and treated to reduce pain and prevent further health risks and infection. Ferrets also benefit from brushing regularly, and are prone to break the long canine teeth in front when playing. Other pets can have a different type of dental problem. Rabbits and guinea pigs have cheek teeth and incisors that constantly grow. The proper diet, including plenty of timothy hay, helps to wear these teeth evenly and prevents sharp points from forming and cutting sensitive tissues of the cheek and tongue. These pets should be seen by your veterinarian at least once each year to assess the cheek teeth for problems. Preventing gingivitis, tooth loss, and dental disease will help keep your pet happy and healthy for many years of love. Ask your veterinarian how your pet’s teeth are doing and what you can do to get on the path to better pet dental health. Hillary Frank, DVM, DABVP (Avian) is the owner of North Central Animal Hospital, P.C., 20 W. Dunlap Ave. She can be reached at 602-395-9773. The information in “Pet Primer” is provided as general information only. For specific advice on your pet’s health, consult your veterinarian. |
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