companionanimalcare resized to 300 pixels wide Specializing in patient & client comfort

Companion Animal Care
555 Fond du Lac Avenue
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
(920)921-5199

How Can I make a difference?
 
1. Brushing the teeth is the most important component of preventative oral care. It is best to start early since most pets will allow brushing if acclimated to it at a young age.
 
  • Tooth brushes for dogs are designed differently than human toothbrushes. They are angled specifically for a dog’s mouth.
  •  Pet toothpaste is available in several flavors making brushing easier and more appetizing for your pet. Similar to human toothpaste, they work to remove plaque.
  •  Introduce brushing slowly. Gradually let your pet get used to having the toothbrush in his mouth. Eventually you should be able to lift up the lip and run a toothbrush with toothpaste along the gums and teeth. Gradually increase amount of time you work in the mouth daily.
  •  Talk to and praise your pet to keep them calm during brushing.
  •  Concentrate on the outside surface of the teeth. Very little periodontal disease develops on the inside surface of the teeth, since the tongue keeps this area clean.
  •  The best time to clean is after the evening meal. Your pet will become more cooperative over time if you establish a routine.
 
2. Feed a plaque fighting food. All Eukanuba diets have a dental defense enzyme built into the kibble. Science Diet’s T/D food works to mechanically remove plaque before it can harden into tartar. Look for food approved by the VOHC. (Veterinary Oral Health Council)
 
3. Use a daily oral rinse such as CET Oral Rinse which contains chlorhexidine and works like Listerine to remove plaque.
 
4. Replace your usual treats with treats designed for dental care. Some examples are Greenies, CET Dental Rewards or CET Rawhides. These all contain enzymes that work to remove plaque & bacteria and freshen breath. Again, look for products approved by the VOHC. (Veterinary Oral Health Council, vohc.org)
 
5. Use Oravet. This is a sealant which is applied to all teeth surfaces after a dental cleaning. A similar formulation can be applied weekly at home as a follow-up. It works to prevent plaque from adhering to the teeth.  For more information visit Oravet.com.
 
6. Have regular veterinary oral exams. These are performed during annual and semi-annual wellness exams.
 
7. Have complete oral assessment & radiographs, OAR, performedunder general anesthesia  by Companion Animal Care's caring team. The cleaning includes full mouth radiographs (X rays) to detect any disease under the gumline..
 
8. Have your dog vaccinated with the Porphyromonas vaccine. The vaccine is designed to combat the bacteria that cause periodontal disease. It may prolong the time between dental cleanings. 
 
9. Have any retained baby teeth removed immediately. If the adult tooth has broken through the gumline and the baby tooth is still present, it can cause a malocclusion.
 
10. Have any broken or discolored teeth examined immediately. They can rapidly lead to abscesses.
 
11. Have full mouth dental radiographs taken regularly. At Companion Animal Care, we recommend a full set of radiographs as soon as all the permanent teeth are erupted.   Thereafter, every 2 years. If there are ongoing dental problems, X-rays may need to be done more frequently. 
 
Things to avoid:
 

Human toothpaste is not meant to be swallowed and can cause stomach upset.

 

Over–the-Counter Products not proven by veterinary dentists to prevent plaque and tartar buildup in our pets. Only products containing zinc gluconate or chlorhexidine have been clinically proven to be effective.

 

Ignoring the problem  
Unfortunately, periodontal disease is progressive, so ignoring it means it will continue to get worse. 

To learn more about plaque prevention visit OraVet.com