By Hillary Frank, DVM, Dipl. ABVP (avian)

    Imagine not only avoiding the dentist but never even brushing your teeth! You would not only have bad breath but rotten teeth, pain, and potentially heart, lung and kidney disease. We would never want to endure that and neither would our pets.

    Although cavities are not common, 80 percent of dogs and cats over 3 years of age suffer from periodontal disease. If untreated, the gum disease can lead to pain and tooth loss. These infections can spread harmful bacteria to the heart valves, lungs, liver, and kidneys.

    Training kittens and puppies and even adult pets to have their teeth brushed is essential to maintaining proper oral health. Routine daily brushing and professional cleanings by your veterinarian are critical to keep the dental disease under control and prevent permanent, irreversible changes. Periodontal pockets, resorptive lesions, or broken teeth can be located and treated to reduce pain and prevent further health risks and infection.

A chipped tooth exposes the pulp canal to bacteria and an infected tooth can quietly be destroying surrounding bone. A dead tooth is like having a large splinter in the mouth and should be treated immediately.

    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 to reduce plaque include dental chews, water additives, oral rinses, brushing the teeth with pet toothpaste, and a protective weekly treatment you can apply at home. Products with a VOHC.org seal of approval are certified to reduce plaque and tartar buildup.

    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.

    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.

    February is National Pet Dental Health Month! 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, Dipl. ABVP (Avian) is the owner of North Central Animal Hospital, P.C., 20 W. Dunlap Ave. She can be reached at 602-395-9773 or find more information on our website www.NorthCentralAnimalHospital.com. The information in “Pet Primer” is provided as general information only. For specific advice on your pet’s health, consult your veterinarian.