Dental disease is by far the most commonly seen clinical condition by veterinarians. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recognized periodontal disease as the most commonly seen clinical condition in today’s veterinary offices. Fortunately, periodontal disease is completely preventable in the comfort of your own home with very little time and energy.
Periodontal disease is a combination of inflammation and disease of gum tissue and oral bone. Plaque causes periodontal disease, which is essentially the nasty film we brush off our teeth every morning. Daily brushing prevents bad breath, cavities, and promotes overall oral health that is equally important to our smaller companions.
With so many benefits coming from the simple swipe of a toothbrush, shouldn’t we provide the same care and consideration for our pets that we provide for ourselves?
Paying a little bit of attention to our pet’s mouths and preventing plaque can go a long way towards saving thousands of dollars in veterinary bills. As well as improving the duration and quality of life for our beloved four legged companions. In addition to bad breath, as mentioned earlier, periodontal disease can cause a decrease or loss of appetite, coughing, heart murmur, liver disease, kidney failure, eye swelling, and in extreme cases, even death.
In order to combat these issues, two forms of effective oral health care include active and passive oral care.
Active oral care includes manual brushing of your pet’s teeth (preferably on a daily basis for at least 30 seconds/day). Passive oral care involves providing dental treats and toys and feeding your pets with specific food to help keep their teeth clean.
Click here for more information about Hill's Pet Nutrition Dental Diet
Consult your Veterinarian for tips and tricks on dental brushing in your pet. Make improved oral health care and your pet’s quality of life a priority this year!
