Fresh Breath for Humans and Pets
It's not just humans—our furry friends also need fresh breath. They aren't naturally smelly! In this special feature, we will explore the importance of oral hygiene for pets.
Just like people, pets can suffer from bad breath if their teeth and gums are not properly cared for. Maintaining good oral hygiene not only keeps their breath pleasant but also prevents health issues like gum disease and tooth decay.
Regular brushing, proper diet, and scheduled veterinary check-ups are key methods to keep your pet's mouth healthy. Consider using pet-safe dental treats and rinses to enhance their oral care routine.
Remember, fresh breath is a sign of a healthy pet and contributes to their overall well-being. Don't let your pets be the exception—start caring for their smiles today!
Why Do Pets Have Bad Breath?
It's bacteria! It's all bacteria! The bad smell is produced by bacteria and decomposed food, especially proteins.
Periodontal problems are not caused by tartar buildup! They are caused by dental plaque hidden in the gums.
Some cats have severe periodontal disease and serious bad breath but no tartar at all! So simply scraping off tartar doesn't solve the problem!
The key is thorough cleaning and periodontal treatment under anesthesia.
So, cleaning teeth without anesthesia is completely meaningless! It even causes stress and pain to the animal. The pet is very scared but just can't express it.
No matter how many times it is said, some people still don't believe that anesthesia with proper cleaning and treatment is necessary. Just scraping tartar without treating problematic teeth and without periodontal treatment is as meaningless as cleaning without anesthesia.
When Should Pets Get Their Teeth Checked?
Pets should have their teeth checked. After the teeth replacement process completes around one year of age, some issues may start to appear:
- Bad breath
- Excessive drooling
- Sticky saliva sometimes with blood
You may also notice behaviors like grinding the face or pawing at the mouth, sneezing, nasal discharge, or redness and swelling with pus under the eyes.
Appetite may decrease, and pets might start eating only soft foods and avoid hard foods. Eating can become messy, and during chewing, they might tremble or make chewing motions without food.
What about before they turn one? Generally, dogs and cats finish exchanging baby teeth by six months old. Before this, during vaccination or pre-spay/neuter checkups, vets will check for retained baby teeth or bite issues to address them early.
Large breed dogs mainly face wear and fractures, and their gum condition tends to be better than smaller dogs. Small dogs and cats are more prone to gum problems starting at one year old, so it is recommended to get a full COHAT (Complete Oral Health Assessment and Treatment) done at least by the age of two to three years.
What Constitutes a Complete COHAT?
Before Anesthesia: At the preoperative dental assessment clinic, the dental condition is evaluated and treatment recommendations along with cost estimates are provided.
After Anesthesia: A full-mouth dental radiographic examination is performed. No radiography means no dentistry! Next is a thorough dental cleaning to completely remove plaque and debris from all periodontal pockets in the mouth.
A comprehensive full-mouth periodontal probing and recording follows. The treatment phase includes procedures such as tooth extractions, fillings, flap surgery, regeneration, and root canal therapy.
Finally, polishing and medication application are performed. At home, post-operative care and tooth brushing are essential.
How Often Should You Brush Your Pet's Teeth?
Dental plaque can form within just 24 hours. Once dental tartar (accumulated plaque hardened on the teeth) develops, which usually takes around two days, it becomes very difficult to remove.
It is recommended to brush your pet's teeth every day. If brushing is not possible on some days, you can use VOHC-certified oral care products such as dental rinses or dental chews to help support oral hygiene. However, nothing can replace regular brushing!
