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This is the first in a series of reposts of articles I wrote for the local paper:
The Take on Teeth
Imagine not brushing your teeth for a year. Your friends stop dropping by. People give you horrified looks as they pass you on the sidewalk. Neighbours leave bottles of mouthwash in your mailbox. You've got bad breath. It hurts to eat because your gums are sore and a couple of your teeth are loose. You feel generally sick because bacteria from an infection in your mouth have spread through your bloodstream, wreaking havoc on your kidneys and the rest of your body.
A lot of people have imagined themselves in their pet's shoes (or paws!). In the past, we've never really considered the dental health of our pets. Wolves and tigers don't brush, right? They also don't have meals placed in front of them in handy-dandy kibble form!
Dental care is an important part of looking after your dog or cat. At each yearly physical, your veterinarian will examine your pet's teeth to determine the amount of tartar present and for the presence of gum disease. Dentistry may be recommended. This involves the scaling and polishing of all the teeth while your pet is under anesthetic. Extractions can be done if necessary.
If possible, you should brush your pet's teeth on a daily basis. I admit I'm a bit lax and only manage it about once a week. Some pets love it! Icey, once of my Samoyeds, starts to drool as soon as I get out the toothpaste. Tundra puts up a fuss, but eventually gives in with a big sigh when he realizes I'm not going to give up. You need to use a toothpaste formulated for pets, as regular paste can cause stomach upset. If you have a puppy or kitten, start brushing their teeth now so that they'll get used to it. With an adult pet, you may need to start with a 'finger' toothbrush. It fits over the top of your finger and tends to be less 'scary' to an animal than a big brush.
Special 'tartar control' diets are available from your veterinarian which are designed to remove plaque while being eaten. Rawhides and other chewies are good for gums and teeth. Just make sure you keep an eye on your dog while he's eating them. A lot of dogs are gluttons and will literally bite off more than they can chew!
