Gum Disease 101

Brushing your teeth is part of your daily routine, but you may forget that it’s also important to take care of your dog’s teeth to prevent gum disease.

Gum disease, is the most common problem that veterinarians see in dogs and cats, even though it’s totally preventable.

How can you prevent gum disease?

1. You can get regular dental cleanings from your veterinarian.

2. At home, you can brush your pet’s teeth with pet toothpaste on gauze or a small pet-sized toothbrush. Use a toothpaste made for specifically for pets because pets swallow it and human toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed.

3. If brushing your pet’s teeth is too challenging, another option is to try pet oral hygiene solutions that can be added to your pets’ drinking water.

4. You can also try giving your dog healthy dental treats that help remove tarter. Make sure that the treats you buy don’t contain sugars or dyes.

Some of the symptoms of gum disease include bad breath, broken or loose teeth, teeth that are discolored, abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth, reduce appetite or refusal to eat, pain in our around the mouth, bleeding from the mouth, and swelling.

Your pet should have a routine veterinarian examination, including teeth and gums at least once a year.

Proper dental care can increase your pet’s life by one to five years.