The Importance of Pet Dental Care
Just like us, our pets need to have their teeth properly taken care of on a regular basis. While it may be more difficult to brush your pet's teeth daily, we recommend brushing them as often as possible. The minimum recommendation for brushing your pet's teeth is about three times per week. This is true for both cats and dogs because they can suffer from a wide range of oral health issues. It is very common for pets to have their teeth removed when they get older because they can develop sores and infections from not having their teeth cleaned on a regular basis. Our veterinarian in North Charleston, AT has some tips on how to clean your pet's teeth, and why it is so important to do regularly.
The best way to get your pet into the habit of having their teeth cleaned is to introduce it while they are still young. This can help them adjust more quickly and be less likely to struggle with it later on. It can also allow you to stay ahead of any gum disease or developing tooth decay. Many oral health issues are directly connected to your pet's overall health, so you want to make sure you are taking really good care of your pet's teeth and gums.
Having the right tools is essential when it comes to caring for your pet's smile. Your pet can't use regular toothpaste meant for humans because it can actually cause stomach problems. Instead, use a toothpaste that is specifically made for a cat or dog. These toothpastes come in all kinds of flavors that will make the toothbrushing process much more appealing for your pet. You also want to make sure that you are using a toothbrush that is the correct size for your pet's mouth. Pet toothbrushes come in small and large, and you can even choose between a regular toothbrush or one for your finger. The finger brush is a guard that you wear on your pointer finger so that you can scrub the tartar off of your pet's tooth. Either option will work, so it just depends on you and your pet's comfort level. The finger guard may be better for pets that try to bite the toothbrush.
When brushing your pet's teeth, focus on the outside of the teeth. Your pet's tongue will keep the inside of the teeth clean and pretty free of food debris and plaque. The outer side of the teeth will collect plaque and tartar, so that is where decay and gum disease will develop. Gently hold your pet's lip out of the way and just quickly scrub their teeth with some toothpaste. You don't need to take a long time because your pet will likely get restless. Instead, just try to do a quick brushing once per day. That will be enough to keep their teeth clean until they are able to get a proper dental cleaning at their next appointment with our veterinarian in North Charleston, AT.
Your pet needs a professional dental cleaning about once per year. During their dental appointment, we will examine their teeth and gums and remove any tartar that has built up on the surface. We may also take x-rays if we feel that they need them. Your pet can develop oral health issues that could be a sign of a more serious condition, so it is important that they get a dental cleaning annually. This will give our veterinarian in North Charleston, AT a chance to thoroughly examine their oral health. The best way to treat a dental or health emergency is to prevent one in the first place, so be sure that you are remaining proactive about your pet's dental health!