Dental care
In Quebec, in the animal health or veterinary world, February is the month of dental health in our pets. The goal of this campaign is to make pet owners aware of the consequences that poor dental health can have on their pets. The goal is also to prevent dental disease in our pets.
Dental diseases
In addition to bad breath, dental disease or periodontal disease (PD) is a group of ailments that affect the tissues near the tooth, particularly the gums and bone around the tooth roots. The major part of PD are gingivitis and periodontitis.
La PD develops in different stages. Little by little and every day, the teeth are gradually covered with plaque. In the picture on the right, we can see three stages of PD evolution. The first is a moderate stage, the second a more advanced stage and the third a severe stage with bone damage. This deposit is made up of bacteria and their waste products which are very adherent. When chewing, the plaque can be partially removed. When our pet eats its kibble, there is a mechanical effect, exerted by the action of friction, which destroys the plaque. However, if our pet only eats canned food, there will be no destruction of plaque by the food. In addition, wet meals are more likely to stick to the teeth, which promotes the formation of plaque. When plaque is not removed, it turns into tartar. Tartar is a harder, yellow to brown substance. Therefore, the majority of our cats and dogs over the age of three show significant tartar build-up and dental disease.
The presence of this tartar can trigger an inflammation of the gums called gingivitis. Gingivitis then becomes a source of pain as it reaches an advanced stage. Also, once the teeth are infected, the gums become the entry point for other more dangerous bacteria that, by circulating in the blood, end up in the heart (endocarditis), liver, lungs and kidneys, which can cause, among other things, septicemia.
It is these progressive irritations, these loosening and weakening of the structures that support the teeth, that are responsible for the majority of tooth loss in our animals.
However, PD can be prevented by using various oral hygiene methods. Here are a few tips to help keep your pet's teeth healthy.
Vigilance and treatment
At home, it is usually by inspecting our pet's mouth at least once a week that we can observe the symptoms of PD, including tartar deposits on their teeth, inflammation, bleeding gums, loosening of the teeth, excessive salivation and, in the advanced stages, lack of appetite due to pain.
Also, during the annual examination of our pet by his veterinarian, we should not hesitate to ask him to examine his. When caught early, PD lesions can be treated.
The first step in treating PD is to remove plaque and tartar. This is done by scaling under general anesthesia, which may require the removal of some teeth. This procedure must be performed by an animal health technician under the supervision of a veterinarian.
Brushing teeth
Home dental care should ideally include 1-2 minutes of daily brushing of our pets' teeth and gums, which is unrealistic. But, know that cleaning once a week can help decrease tartar development by 75%. While brushing every day can decrease tartar formation by up to 90 %.
We will use a toothpaste like the one from Zanimo as well as a toothbrush specially designed for our pet. Ideally, we should introduce our pet to teeth cleaning at a young age. If we wish to initiate an adult animal, positive reinforcement and patience will be essential. It is dangerous to use toothpaste for humans, it is toxic for our animals.
Other dental supplements
Other supplements to take care of the oral health of our pets can be in the form of an additive to put in the water bowl or as a spray that is applied directly to the teeth.
As for me, the best on the market is Zanimo's homeopathic remedy developed by experts, ORAL CARE.
It promotes healthy teeth and gums and prevents tartar build-up. Easy to administer, using a pipette, the drops are put directly into the mouth on the side of the cheek. It provides a natural solution to reduce problems such as: tartar accumulation, plaque and bad breath. It is suitable for all breeds of dogs and cats, from 2 months of age.
To know the other Zanimo products click on the link here.
Treats and toys
There are several treats available on the market chez your veterinarian or at animalerie that help reduce plaque such as topical gels, water additives, natural leather bones or chewable strips containing enzymes. Rubber toys can also be helpful.
Healthy food
A healthy diet is essential to maintaining our pet's overall health and preventing PM. Chewing large dental kibbles and dry treats promotes good oral health. Of course, table food should be avoided.
Conclusion
Prevention of oral problems begins at home. Mitigating measures taken early in our pet's life will ensure a long and healthy life.
Where to find the products in this article?
Use our store locator. You will find our products at many retailers.
