Dental Care

Hello my friends!

Don't you just love this beautiful weather? It brings a big smile to my face. And speaking of smiles - make sure your pearly whites are healthy and clean because dental disease is a common problem in canines and felines which can be prevented with good dental hygiene.

Dental disease starts when plaque accumulates on teeth. Plaque is a combination of bacteria and food debris. After a while, plaque mineralizes and turns into tartar. When tartar accumulates below the gum line it causes damage to the gums and can lead to gum erosion which results in loosening of teeth. Plague starts to form at any age and can be prevented by good oral hygiene.

The first step to good oral hygiene is to get your pets teeth and gums checked by a veterinarian. The veterinarian removes the tartar and in case of gum disease prescribes an antibiotic. After that, it is your turn to keep your pets teeth and gums healthy.

The best way to keep gums and teeth healthy is by daily brushing. Yes, you can brush your canine's and feline's teeth! You can use a soft toothbrush for humans or buy a special pet brush at the pet store. You can also get tooth paste for pets there. Don't use human tooth paste because we don't rinse afterwards. So the tooth paste has to be eatable. For cats and small dogs you can use the finger brush.

At first, your pet might struggle a little until the brushing becomes familiar. Try to make it a routine. You can also give a treat as a reward after the brushing. That works very well with dogs. Every morning after breakfast I go to my human and let her brush my teeth as you can see in the picture. Then, I get a treat. I love it!

And speaking of treats, there are special dental treats and chews as well as toys designed to keep the teeth clean. Pet stores have an entire section dedicated to such items. Ask a sales person and they will gladly advice you. And don't forget to follow up with yearly check ups by the veterinarian.

As you can see, keeping your pearly whites clean and healthy doesn't have to be a problem. There are easy ways to do this with the right tools and the right routine. So, my friends, keep brushing daily and most of all, keep smiling!

Love and Peace,

Tiny