Many people first become aware of their pet’s need for dental care when they notice that their pet has bad breath. Unfortunately, by the time the unpleasant mouth odor has been detected, there is already dental disease present. The bad odor we smell in our pet’s mouth results from the combination of food material, bacteria, and saliva that adheres to the teeth and forms plaque.

Plaque develops into a hard deposit which appears as brown concretions on the teeth. These deposits can lead to gingivitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums and is the earliest form of dental disease. Left untreated, gingivitis can cause recession of the gums and bone loss around the teeth. This advanced form of dental disease is called periodontal disease. Not only does gingivitis and periodontal disease cause tooth loss but, more importantly, it can lead to serious heart and kidney infections.

So what can you do to keep your pet’s teeth and gums healthy? Your pet should receive annual check-ups which will include a thorough evaluation of the teeth and gums. The doctor will determine when your pet is in need of a professional dental cleaning. Some pets need their teeth cleaned annually and others only every few years. The doctor will make recommendations based specifically on your pet’s dental health. If you’re wondering what you can do at home for your pet’s teeth, consider the following options for dental care at home.

The most effective tool for home dental care is frequent brushing of your pet’s teeth. If you decide to brush your pet’s teeth, be sure to use the proper toothpaste for pets since the fluoride in human toothpaste can be toxic. If your pet or your lifestyle doesn’t allow frequent teeth brushing, you may want to try offering dental chews. They make a great treat and help keep teeth and gums healthy. Another convenient way to provide dental care at home is to feed a prescription diet such as Hill’s T/D. This is especially valuable in pets that do not have other special dietary needs and have an unmanageable accumulation of dental tartar even after dental cleanings. The T/D diet is very palatable and can also be used just as treats! Although home dental care can help slow the build-up of dental tartar and decrease the frequency of professional dental cleanings, it is important to have your pet examined annually to address dental health before it becomes dental disease!