Pearly Whites

OK, you knew it was coming.

I'm a dentist. It's February.

That means it's time for me to devote a post to National Pet Dental Health month!

One of our earliest posts was about Brutus brushing his teeth. Oral hygiene was a habit I never started early enough with my other dogs, consequently they had to be put under local anesthesia every year or two for a professional cleaning. I thought it was the only option, actually. Don't know why it never occurred to me to brush their teeth (especially being a dentist!!). Didn't a vet ever mention it? Can't imagine I would have ignored them...

Ya' coming mom?? I got the brush all ready!

I've seen so many posts where our furiends have had to have toofers extracted! Yes, certain breeds (especially small dogs & brachycephalic dogs like pugs & Frenchies) are more prone to gum disease. But it doesn't mean they are destined to need doggie dentures!

A little preventive maintenance can go a long way!! Nearly all dental disease (decay and periodontal disease) is preventable, so why not do everything you can to make your dog's health better? Add to that all the recent research (both human and canine) that has shown connections between dental disease and cardiovascular disease. I won't bore you with all the details, but here is a good link for more information if you are interested.

If you knew you could avoid costly and/or risky procedures for your pooch (or kitty, but we don't talk about those here BOL!) just by picking up a toothbrush a few times a week, wouldn't you? If you haven't started yet, it will probably take a professional cleaning to get off the buildup of plaque - a toothbrush alone just can't do it if it's been accumulating for months or years. But it's not too late to start better habits!! When introduced properly to the routine (and a little poultry-flavored toothpaste helps a lot), most dogs learn to love having their teeth brushed - Brutus does!!

Mmmm.... Chicken toothpaste!!

If you already brush your pet's teeth regularly, than a big kudos to you! If you'd like to & don't know how to start, your veterinarian is a great resource. Don't wait until the tooth fairy needs to pay an untimely visit to inspire you to get started!

No, not that tooth fairy!! Doggies have their own!! Introducing Lily, the Toof Fairy!!!

Thanks to my friend Arlette for letting me borrow this great photo! She lives in Cologne, Germany and is owned by two fabulous Frenchies, Lily and Rufus. Don't make Lily work too hard, OK everyone??