Your pet’s dental health is part of its overall health. Dental problems can cause, or be the cause of other health issues, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Periodontal disease is the most common clinical condition among cats and dogs, which is why annual check-ups are so important.
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“Dogs’ shorter digestive tracts mean that bacteria accumulating in the mouth is able to make its way through the dog’s body to affect overall health. This can lead to heart conditions, kidney trouble, and even neural damage,” says Leslie Kessinger, co-owner of Three Dog Bakery in Franklin. “In a less dramatic way, poor dental hygiene can make a dog’s breath smell bad and infected or teeth with significant plaque buildup can be painful and uncomfortable for the dog.”
Plaque hardens and turns into tartar. Above the gum line, tartar can be seen and easily removed. Below the gum line it’s another issue because it’s damaging and can lead to infection. The AVMA reports that by the time your pet is 3 years old, most likely he will have some early signs of periodontal disease, “which will worsen as your pet grows older if effective preventive measures aren’t taken.”
Signs that your pet may have dental problems include:
- Bad breath
- Discolored teeth
- Teeth covered in tartar
- Abnormal chewing
- Drooling
- Dropping food from the mouth
- Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
- Pain in or around the mouth
- Bleeding or swelling around the mouth.
Animals can suffer from the same dental problems as humans (i.e. broken teeth, abscessed teeth, misalignment, mouth cysts, etc.), so to prevent a small problem from developing into a more serious problem, an annual teeth cleaning is recommended by both the Tennessee Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) and the AVMA.
A common misconception is that dry dog food helps eliminate plaque and tartar on pet’s teeth due to the scraping action when it’s chewed. “The carbohydrate content in dry foods can often contribute to that buildup and very little scraping action is provided as a dog chews the kibble,” explains Leslie Kessinger, co-owner of Three Dog Bakery in Franklin.
Tip: Add Frozen, Wet or Freeze-Dried Raw Food. To help keep your pet’s teeth in tip top condition between cleanings, Kessinger suggests adding frozen raw, freeze-dried raw or wet food to your dog’s diet.
“Wet foods, particularly those that are made entirely of proteins, leave little food particle residue behind on the teeth and raw products contain natural enzymes that help break down the protein buildup on teeth. Adding raw or wet foods to a dog’s diet can help prevent additional plaque and tartar from forming on the teeth,” she reveals.
Products to Help Clean Your Pet’s Teeth
Brushing your pet’s teeth can be a bit challenging — depending on your pup — but not impossible. These products can help make what seems like a daunting task, a lot easier.
TropiClean Oral Care Kit – “We do recommend, and carry a toothbrush product by TropiClean that comes with a toothbrush, finger brush, and toothpaste gel,” says Kessinger. “The gel breaks down the plaque and tartar buildup, and the brushing action sweeps it away. The gel also contains mint, which leaves the dog’s breath smelling fresher,” says Kessinger.
Ark Naturals Plaque Zapper – An odorless, tasteless powder of digestive enzymes that is added to the dog’s water bowl and lasts for up to eight hours.. It proactively breaks down the build up on the pet’s teeth. “The enzymes hang out in the dog’s saliva continuing to work on breaking down the plaque even after they’ve swallowed the water,” says Kessinger.
Brushless Toothpaste– A dental chew that combines the action of a toothpaste with the abrasive cleaning of a brush. The active ingredients in center of the chew act as the toothpaste and control the growth of bacteria while also breaking down any accumulated buildup. “The green outside of the chew is abrasive and sweeps away the debris that the toothpaste has broken down. All of the ingredients are completely natural and digestible, making it an easy addition,” notes Kessinger.
For any of the products listed above, visit Three Dog Bakery, located on West McEwen Drive, adjacent to Whole Foods in the McEwen Shopping Center in Franklin. To learn more about Three Dog Bakery, click here.
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