June 5, 2012
Posted in Common Pet Conditions

Dental health is one of the most important aspects of pet care, though it can sometimes be overlooked. In fact, keeping your pup's teeth and mouth in good shape is equally as important as starting it on joint enhancing supplements like Dasuquin with glucosamine for dogs or pet drugs like Previcox or Metacam to keep its joints working properly. If you've refrained from dental care in the past, now is the perfect time to start it up.

Why is dental care important

Periodontal disease is one of the most common problems vets throughout the U.S. see each year and the condition is most prevalent in middle age or older dogs. If your dog is suffering from periodontal disease it will start to develop oral pain that may make it hard for the dog to eat its pet food and could make it more agitated or on edge than usual.

Signs of periodontal disease

There can be a variety of different symptoms caused by periodontal disease or other mouth issues that may arise from lack of dental care including the dog having bad breath, it drooling more or having brown dental tartar. You may notice tooth discoloration on your pup's canines, gum redness or swelling, gum recession or even tooth loss due to the disease. Its jaw may quiver inexplicably and the dog may become snappy or aggressive if you try to pat its face due to the pain it's experiencing. If you notice any of these signs it's important to bring the dog to the vet as he or she will be able to diagnose the issue and offer advice on ways to prevent it or curb the condition in the future.

Be proactive with dental care

There are many ways pet parents can begin taking better care of their dog's mouth, no matter how old the dog is. Brushing your dog's teeth with pet-friendly toothpaste is the best option, you might want to pick up pet products like the C.E.T. Oral Hygiene Kit for Dogs and Cats which contains a finger toothbrush, a dual-ended toothbrush and pet-friendly toothpaste. However, if your pup isn't too fond of you sticking your hand in its mouth, you could also try adding a rinse like Be Fresh Dental Care Solution to its water as this product works to kill plaque and bacteria while whitening teeth and freshening a dog's breath. Treats like Greenies Dental Treats for Dogs also work to promote dental health.

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2. Dental disease? In pets?
3. Dog mouths: Cleaner than ours?
4. Stinky dog? Poor health may be to blame
5. How to trim down your vet bills