February is National Pet Dental Health Month and it being the month of February, it seems like the perfect time to talk about your pets dental health. Have you heard about Periodontal Disease? No? Did you know it’s the most common dental condition in pets? No? Did you also know that it is very preventable? No? Well as a Veterinary Technician it’s my job to help educate owners so let me explain.

Dental hygiene is a very important part of our lives. We brush our teeth multiple times a day and visit dentists regularly. We understand how important it is for us to care for our teeth and how it can affect our health. So why do we not do the same care for our pets? As our furry family members, they deserve to have proper health care as well. Well now that my small rant is over, let me talk to you about a huge problem with pets, that is so very easy to prevent.

Periodontal Disease is an infection and inflammation of the tissues around and that support the teeth. Many of the infections are caused by the bacteria in the plaque that covers the teeth. Some of the signs that your pet may have dental issues are bad breath, discoloration or tartar covered teeth, abnormal chewing or dropping food, painful to the touch, bleeding or swelling; just to name a few common ones.

If you noticed any of these signs, many of us as owners start to wonder what is causing the possible issues. Some common causes are broken teeth and/or roots, abscesses or infected teeth, cysts or tumors, broken/fractured jaw, and palate defects. Now, these are just common causes and do not mean that just because your pet’s breath smells bad that they have an oral cyst or tumor. What it does mean is that your pet needs some dental attention.

When you notice these signs, it is best to take your pet to the Veterinarian and have them checked out. What your Vet will do is an oral exam, possibly schedule an x-ray (this allows them to see what is going on under the gum line with their teeth’s roots), and they may schedule a cleaning. If your pet needs cleaning, they will have their teeth scaled, cleaned and polished. If it is needed they will have teeth extracted. As a technician, I highly recommend that you do not take your pets to a clinic that is anesthesia-free. It is less painful, stressful, and easier if your pet is under anesthesia.

Once your pet is finished with their exam, cleaning, or whatever your Veterinarian suggests; the main thing they will tell you is how to keep your pet’s teeth clean and healthy. Prevention of dental disease is so very important for not only your pet’s teeth but for their overall health. The number one best thing to help is to brush your pet’s teeth. This should be done (just like us) on a daily basis.

They have so many products for pets now that even if your pet doesn’t like the toothbrush, there is something they will tolerate. You should also have your pet’s teeth cleaned yearly (just like us). These things will help your pet’s overall health and help give you that peace of mind, knowing you’re doing everything you can for your furry family members.