February is dental month, and that means it is time to talk about teeth. Gum disease, gingivitis, and other oral diseases are so common in our pets. Over 80% of all dogs over the age of three has one of these.
Regular dental care is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Many people think because they feed their dog a dry food like kibble, they are protecting their dog’s teeth in place of brushing. This would be a little bit like you thinking that because you eat crunchy oreos, they are cleaning your teeth so you don’t have to brush.
Kibble simply isn’t hard enough to clean your dog’s teeth, and particles that get lodged in between your pet’s teeth will feed the bacteria leading to plaque build up, and eventually tartar. If you’ve ever noticed your dog has smelly breath, this is often a sign that the dog needs dental care right away. That smell is from tartar build up, and it needs to be removed by a professional.
While yearly dentals may be necessary to help clean away the tartar that does build up, prevention of the build up at is the best option available. That means brushing your dog’s teeth as often as possible with a pet safe toothpaste.
When brushing your dog’s teeth, start on the back molars and work all the way to the front. Many people brush the front teeth, but fail to get the back molars where most of the food debris gets caught.
If you have trouble brushing your dog’s teeth, or would just rather not, you can have one of our groomers brush them for you. It’s a walk-in service, no appointment necessary. Toothbrushing is just $6, and we can do it while you wait.