Brushing your teeth twice a day helps to avoid tooth loss, decay, and gum disease. Similarly, the benefits of dental care for pets are just as important. At TLC for Pets in Reisterstown, we understand that life can be busy, leaving you with no time to brush your pet's teeth. Fortunately, our veterinary team can help you keep up with your pet's dental care. Meanwhile, let's dive into the "how-to" of brushing your pet's teeth.
Let Your Pet Smell or Lick the Toothpaste
Place a dab of pet paste on your pet's toothbrush and let them lick or sniff it. Don't use your toothpaste because the ingredients can harm pets. Pet toothpaste is a better option since it contains ingredients that pets find appealing, such as peanuts, seafood, beef, and chicken.
Make Your Pet Comfortable
Squirt a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your pet's toothbrush, and gently brush their teeth in a circular motion. Remember to use a good toothbrush that's easy to use, reaches all corners of the mouth, and withstands a lot of clawing, gnawing, and biting. In addition, offer a treat when you're done to make teeth cleaning more enjoyable for your pet. Rubbing the gums with toothpaste helps your pet adjust to the sensation of brushing. Be patient when starting an oral hygiene routine for your pet. It can take a week before you progress from one step to another.
Choose Tooth-Friendly Pet Treats and Foods
Some sprays, gels, additives, treats, and foods are specifically formulated to prevent tartar and plaque buildup. So, talk to your vet about the best products and foods for good oral health.
Schedule Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings
Your oral health can suffer if you don't visit the dentist for regular checkups. Similarly, pets need cleanings and checkups too. During your pet's checkup, the veterinarian will look for symptoms like:
• Bad breath
• Loose or broken teeth
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Pain around or in the mouth
• Refusal to eat or reduced appetite
• Retained baby teeth or extra teeth
• Teeth that are covered in tartar or discolored
• Drooling, abnormal chewing, or dropping food from the mouth
Contact TLC for Pets Veterinary Hospital for Pet Dental Care
Just like you, your pet's dental health affects their general well-being. Caring for your pet's teeth can help prevent dental disease, gingivitis, tooth loss, and other severe health complications. Having your pet's teeth examined and cleaned at least twice a year is advisable. Remember, their teeth might look okay, but possible problems hide below the gum line. At TLC for Pets in Reisterstown, we offer high-quality pet dental care to help keep your pet happy and healthy. Contact us at (410) 833-1717 if you have any questions about your pet's dental care or to seek expert help.