Good teeth and gums are very important to the health of your pet. The average animal lives 2-3 years longer with healthy teeth than those left with gingivitis and tartar. Not only does bad teeth cause bad breath, but plaque, tartar and gingivitis can lead to severe organ diseases such as heart, kidney and liver failure.
- We recommend brushing your pet’s teeth 2 times weekly. You can buy toothpaste and toothbrushes here or at a local pet store. Some pets tolerate a finger brush very well. Do not use a human toothpaste as these cannot be swallowed. Dentacetic wipes may be used as an alternative to brushing. If you are unable to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis, ask about our brushless dental cleaning plan option for maintaining your pet’s teeth year round.
- You can also use dental chews, such as Oravet. These uniquely shaped, tasty chews are designed to improve your dog’s oral hygiene, AND they come in three dog-friendly sizes! Oravet Chews are the ONLY dog approved product on the market with the ingredient Delmopinol – a common human grade oral product that creates a protective shield over the teeth that will not allow plaque biofilm and bacteria to adhere to the teeth! Unlike other dental products, given daily Oravet chews also have statistically shown to greatly improve halitosis (bad breath!). With it’s vanilla mint flavor, it has been a HUGE hit for our doggy patients and their pet parents! Our dogs LOVE Oravet! If you purchase other chews from a local pet store, please keep in mind that they must be “enzymatic” to be really effective.
*Most chews are safe and very beneficial to the teeth, however, if your pet swallows them whole they must be discontinued as they can cause a blockage and may require surgery. Other rawhides/chews tend to cause more problems with diarrhea or vomiting as they are cured with formaldehyde. Oravet chews are easily digestible and break down easy when swallowed. - We also recommend starting your pet on Plaque Off. This product bonds to tartar, breaks tartar off the teeth, and helps prevent new tartar from forming. Simply add this powder to your pet’s food daily. This product works well for dogs and cats that do not like to chew or are too sick for a sedated dental cleaning.
- Greenies can be beneficial to the teeth; however, make sure your pet does not swallow them whole as they can cause a blockage which may require surgery.
- Dental cleanings are recommended for all pets with tartar and gingivitis, or for those pets that may require tooth extractions. At The Scottsdale Veterinary Clinic we have great discounts on our Brushless Plan Option for Pet Dental Health. The brushless dental option includes dental cleanings every 6 months to keep your pet’s teeth in the best condition. These dental cleanings are significantly discounted to make this procedure affordable and keep your pet in optimal health. Most dogs and cats will require their first cleaning between 2-4 years of age.
