February 1^st kicks off Pet Dental Health Month. This month, veterinarians nationwide alert pet owners about preventative dental care and treatment. A clean mouth plays an important role in the general well-being of pets. Periodontal disease is the most common pet disease diagnosed by veterinarians. By preventing periodontal disease, you avoid bacterial infection that leads to painful tooth root abscesses as well as secondary liver and kidney problems. You can also do something about that doggy breath.

            Veterinarians can choose from a wide array of options when recommending which preventative tools are best for your dog or cat. The first step is a physical exam to evaluate the pet’s general condition and dental health. At Murphy Road Animal Hospital, we provide you with a dental treatment plan, including a preventative plan, for your pet. Some pets require prophylactic cleanings before any other preventatives can be useful. Cleanings allow for complete oral examination, dental radiographs, and removal of tartar. After cleanings, the most popular choices for preventatives have been chew bones and dental formula prescription diets. These primarily remove plaque by scraping it away. Pets can gain greatly from special diets and chews, but if your pet doesn’t like to chew or practically inhales its food, then tooth brushing is necessary. Those who brush their pet’s teeth several times a week vastly decrease the amount of tartar and gingivitis present. Meanwhile, those pets whose teeth are brushed only once a month see little benefit at all. To put it into perspective, if we didn’t brush our own teeth but once a month, then we would expect tartar buildup, gingivitis, and bad breath.

            Newer options address plaque control in a different manner. Pet drinking-water additives and oral hygiene rinses reduce bacterial numbers, while Oravet® gel blocks attachment of plaque to tooth enamel. Initially applied during a prophylactic cleaning, Oravet® binds to the enamel and creates an invisible barrier to plaque. Pet owners reinforce the barrier with once weekly applications. It is innovative, simple, and clinically proven to effectively reduce plaque and tartar levels.

            No one option is best for all pets. To know which ones to use, visit your veterinarian in February 2008 for a dental exam and treatment plan.