FEBRUARY IS PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Dental disease is the number one health issue for dogs, affecting 80% of adult dogs and up to 96% of senior dogs. That’s why it’s more important than ever to take an active role in your pup’s at-home dental care.  Poor oral health can negatively impact your dog’s overall health. Unless you give the right combination of care.

"The importance of looking after your dog's teeth is critical not just to their oral health but to their total well being. Left untreated, dental disease can cause not just tooth loss and severe pain but also systemic health issues such as heart, kidney and liver disease"  Dr. Danielle Bernal (B.VSC, MRCVS) Global Vet Nutrition Director



Did you know that dental care can extend your dog's life?   "Pets with regular dental care live an average of 2 years longer when compared with pets that don't," explains Dr. Jen Emerson-Mathis DVM, CVJ. "Just as with people, there is a link between other diseases such as heart disease in pets with poor dental health."

In fact, dental disease can potentially impact your dog's major organs - heart, kidney, liver, lungs and even bladder. One of the biggest problems associated with poor dental health is infection. Dr. Bert Gaddis, DVM, Dipl. AVDC explains. 

The reason this infection creates such health risks is that being at the gum line means that it can very easily enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body causing problems.

While dental disease can start even in their youth, it is often the case that dental problems come to the forefront when our dogs reach their senior years. This in part is due to years of build up, but it is also because older dogs have diminished immune systems and may be less capable of fighting off the effects of this bacteria.


WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Here are some non-invasive methods of dental care

BRUSHING TEETH
The value of brushing your dog’s teeth cannot be underestimated. Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC describes, “Just committing to brushing 1-2 minutes once a week may dramatically help decrease the amount of plaque and tartar from building up"

DENTAL CHEWS
Some off-the-shelf dental chews have proven to be effective at reducing plaque and tartar build-up. Whimzees Toothbrush Dental Chews (all sizes) have received the VOHC Seal of Acceptance, can be given on a daily basis and are particularly useful for dogs that make brushing nearly impossible.

OTHER
Another VOHC accepted product, Plaque Off is a supplement powder that has been clinically proven to reduce plaque in dogs by softening the plaque.

*(VOHC - Veterinary Oral Health Council)


Carrots are a great natural and cost effective treat for your dogs as well as having the potential to help with your dog’s dental hygiene.  Like with any other treat you need to be careful of size and cut into batons where needed and remove from your dog if you feel it necessary to prevent choking. Carrots can assist in cleaning or preventing the build up of plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth. The action of chewing on a carrot can have the added benefit of massaging your dog’s gums which in turn can help prevent infection.

FEBRUARY IS PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Dental disease is the number one health issue for dogs, affecting 80% of adult dogs and up to 96% of senior dogs. That’s why it’s more important than ever to take an active role in your pup’s at-home dental care.  Poor oral health can negatively impact your dog’s overall health. Unless you give the right combination of care.

"The importance of looking after your dog's teeth is critical not just to their oral health but to their total well being. Left untreated, dental disease can cause not just tooth loss and severe pain but also systemic health issues such as heart, kidney and liver disease"  Dr. Danielle Bernal (B.VSC, MRCVS) Global Vet Nutrition Director



Did you know that dental care can extend your dog's life?   "Pets with regular dental care live an average of 2 years longer when compared with pets that don't," explains Dr. Jen Emerson-Mathis DVM, CVJ. "Just as with people, there is a link between other diseases such as heart disease in pets with poor dental health."

In fact, dental disease can potentially impact your dog's major organs - heart, kidney, liver, lungs and even bladder. One of the biggest problems associated with poor dental health is infection. Dr. Bert Gaddis, DVM, Dipl. AVDC explains. 

The reason this infection creates such health risks is that being at the gum line means that it can very easily enter the bloodstream and travel throughout the body causing problems.

While dental disease can start even in their youth, it is often the case that dental problems come to the forefront when our dogs reach their senior years. This in part is due to years of build up, but it is also because older dogs have diminished immune systems and may be less capable of fighting off the effects of this bacteria.


WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Here are some non-invasive methods of dental care

BRUSHING TEETH
The value of brushing your dog’s teeth cannot be underestimated. Dr. Justine Lee, DVM, DACVECC describes, “Just committing to brushing 1-2 minutes once a week may dramatically help decrease the amount of plaque and tartar from building up"

DENTAL CHEWS
Some off-the-shelf dental chews have proven to be effective at reducing plaque and tartar build-up. Whimzees Toothbrush Dental Chews (all sizes) have received the VOHC Seal of Acceptance, can be given on a daily basis and are particularly useful for dogs that make brushing nearly impossible.

OTHER
Another VOHC accepted product, Plaque Off is a supplement powder that has been clinically proven to reduce plaque in dogs by softening the plaque.

*(VOHC - Veterinary Oral Health Council)


Carrots are a great natural and cost effective treat for your dogs as well as having the potential to help with your dog’s dental hygiene.  Like with any other treat you need to be careful of size and cut into batons where needed and remove from your dog if you feel it necessary to prevent choking. Carrots can assist in cleaning or preventing the build up of plaque and tartar from your dog’s teeth. The action of chewing on a carrot can have the added benefit of massaging your dog’s gums which in turn can help prevent infection.