Tag: February Pet Dental Month

February is the month of love! And BestBullySticks.com knows that one of the best ways you can love your dog is caring for his mouth! Yes, you read that right! Unfortunately pet dental health is often overlooked, and if left untreated can lead to serious health problems such as heart, lung and kidney disease.  Today, BBS will show you how to monitor and treat your dog’s dental health.

Warning Signs

• Abnormally Bad Breath: By nature, dogs don’t have the sweetest of breath, but when something is wrong, your dog’s breath will be particularly bad.
• Excessive Drooling
• Swollen Gums
• Tumors or cysts on gums or under the tongue
• Loose Teeth

Problems
But what do the symptoms mean? Here are some of the most common dental problems your dog can encounter. 

Periodontal Disease: This is an infection that occurs between a tooth and the gum that causes tooth loss and can even spread to the rest of the body. This disease is very painful for dogs.

Gingivitis: Just like humans, dogs can get gingivitis, which is an issue caused by the buildup of plaque, tartar and bacteria on the gums. Swollen, reddened and bleeding gums and bad breath are all symptoms.

Halitosis: Bad breath can mean bad health. This is one of the first signs of many different oral issues and can be caused by stuck food or tartar build up.

Inflamed Gums: This is also caused by tartar build up or getting food particles stuck in teeth.

Mouth Tumors & Cysts: Lumps can begin forming on your dog’s gums because of neglected oral hygiene. These can sometimes be malignant and have to be surgically removed. Salivary cysts can also appear in your dog’s mouth. These large, fluid-filled blisters show up under the tongue or corners of the jaw. These sores require drainage and the damaged saliva gland must be removed. Read more

Did you know that dental disease is one of the most common health issues in dogs and cats? Not only can dental disease be excruciating but also costly. Great news, dental disease can be reduced and prevented with some TLC. Like any health issue, prevention is key and knowledge is power. That is why it is so important to provide your pet with proper pet oral care both professionally and at home. As dogs age it is even more crucial to maintain that healthy smile. If you are a new pup or kitty parent it is important that you get your new fury bundle of joy use to having his teeth brush by starting their dental care at a young age. For those who have never brushed your pets teeth it is never to late to get your dog or cat on the road to a great smile. First step is a setting up an appointment for a  proper vet dental check-up and then having your vet speak to you about a regular at home oral care regime. There is no time like the present as we celebrate Feb. Pet Dental Month. Remember that if dental disease is left untreated it could lead to tooth loss, infection and much worse.  Here are a few dental diseases that you should be aware of.

Plaque: Dogs rarely get cavities, but are prone to gum disease and excess tartar build-up on the teeth. Food particles and bacteria collect along the gumline forming plaque. Routine home care 2-3x's per week can remove this plaque.

Tartar: If plaque is not removed, minerals in the saliva combine with the plaque and form tartar (or calculus) which adheres strongly to the teeth. Plaque starts to mineralize 3-5 days after it forms. The tartar is irritating to the gums and causes an  inflammation known as gingivitis. This can be seen as reddening of the gums adjacent to the teeth. It also causes bad breath. At this point it is necessary to make an appointment with your vet in order to remove the tartar with special instruments called scalers, and then polish the teeth.

Periodontal Disease: If the tartar is not removed, it builds up under the gums. It separates the gums from the teeth to form "pockets" and encourages even more bacterial growth. At this point the damage is irreversible, and called "periodontal" disease. It can be very painful and can lead to loose teeth, abscesses, and bone loss or infection. As bacterial growth continues to increase, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream. This can cause infection of the heart valves (endocarditis),liver, and kidneys. If treated by your veterinarian with special instruments and procedures, periodontal disease can be slowed or stopped.

So paw pals let get brushin'!

Love is in the air this Valentines Day, but so is bad breath. So pups if you are thinking about puckering up at the kissing booth, think again, it time to press the pause button for a second. Don't forget to pop in a bark-mint and brush those pearly whites. Canines beware of the bad breath police hounds on patrol, you don't want to get an embarrassing citation for poor dental hygiene.

Make sure your breath is oh so fresh and clean by brushing 2-3'x per week. Not only will this be a good hit with the ladies & gentlemen but your over health will be improved as well. Here are some tips to make teeth brushing a breeze. The first step of course is to purchase doggy specific toothpaste (comes in many dog-licious flavors) and a toothbrush at your local pet store.

1. Start  with small puppy steps by placing a small amount of toothpaste on your finger and allowing your dog to lick it off. This is the part your dog will love.

2. Next, apply another small dab of toothpaste to your finger. Sit beside your dog or straddle him from behind. Cup the top of his muzzle in your hand and gently pull back on the lips. Making sure you praise his or her good behavior.

3. Place your finger on the surface of one of your dog's front teeth and gum. Massage gently in a circular motion. Your dog will probably be licking at your finger as you do this but that's okay; he's getting used to having his tooth & gums massaged.

4. Introduce him to the toothbrush. Allow him to sniff or lick at the brush (sorry pups this is not a chew toy). Place some toothpaste on the brush and allow him to lick it off. Be patient and take as much time as your dog needs to become familiar with the brush.

5. Position the brush against his tooth (whichever tooth is easier to reach and he is most comfortable with) and move it gently in a circular motion.

6. Repeat the above steps for several days, until your dog is completely comfortable with the ritual.

7. Wet the toothbrush and apply a small amount of toothpaste to it. Sit beside or straddle your dog and gently pull back the lips. Begin by brushing the outside tooth surfaces (closest to the lip) of the fangs. Brush gently, in a circular motion, concentrating on the gum line. Spend at least five seconds on each tooth.

8. Move on to the first large teeth in the back of the mouth on each side. Brush gently, in a circular motion, as you did with the fangs. Once your dog and you are comfortable with brushing the fangs and back teeth, you can expand your efforts to include the outer surfaces of the other teeth.

9. Reward your dog with a bully stick, chew or treat!