Sparkly whites: Dental Care for Pets

Dear Diary,
November 25th, 2008

Take it From Me, Darling:
You Can't Take Your Teeth for Granted.

Hi, it’s your old friend Torrey, writing from the Pets Best Headquarters. As my friends will tell you, I take my work quite seriously; much of my job involves running from office to office, encouraging each member of the Pets Best staff to work as hard as they can to protect pets like me.

Like a mail carrier, almost nothing will keep me from my appointed rounds, but I must admit there was one day this month when I was not my usual, perky self. I had been to the dentist, you see, to have some work done. I slept through the actual procedure, which was fine with me, but then I woke up feeling groggy and numb.

A day later, I was back on the job, but the experience reminded me that I should write to you about regular dental care and how important it is. Take it from me, darling, you can’t take your teeth for granted.

Sure, regular brushing keeps my breath fresh. And dad likes my kisses better that way. But it’s much more important than that—did you know that dental disease is the number one health problem diagnosed in pets? That goes for cats and dogs alike. The worst part is, it’s an even bigger problem for petite dogs such as myself!

Not brushing leads to an accumulation of plaque, which can cause tartar buildup. Above the gumline, tartar encourages the growth of bacteria which can lead to all sorts of nasty things, like tooth loss, abscesses, bone loss or infection. In extreme cases, the infection can enter the bloodstream where it can affect the heart valves, liver and kidneys. In the long run, this can actually shorten a pet’s life!

There are plenty of things you can do to stop this. For example, eating crunchy kibble, not soft canned food, may help keep teeth clean. And pet parents should brush pet’s teeth, using appropriate tools and pet-formulated toothpastes, daily or at least a couple times a week. (I’m a big fan of beef-flavor toothpaste! Yummy.) There are plenty of products on the market, including dental wipes and special chews, that may also help. Trust your veterinarian to recommend the best products and the best regimen for you.

Vets should also check pets’ teeth on a regular basis and may recommend in-office teeth cleanings. It’s very important for pet health, which is why the Pets Best BestWellness option includes annual benefits for teeth cleaning.

Remember, just a few minutes a day spent on dental care can add up to more years of healthy life for pets, which is invaluable when you’re as well-loved as I am. Until next time, keep smiling!

Torrey

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