Despite being often undervalued, our animal's oral hygiene is very important for its life. Over time, owners begin to notice that the dog or cat has bad breath and this may be the only sign that the animal has oral problems.

Oral disease in animals is probably as common and painful as it is in humans. Tartared teeth are not only harmful to our pet's mouth. Bacteria found in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and reach various organs: heart, liver, kidneys, among others.

Diseases and alerts:

These are the main problems that can affect the mouth of our friends, and what we should do to solve, prevent or minimize these situations.

Oral Diseases:

• Dental Plaque – Dogs and cats rarely have cavities, but they easily accumulate excess tartar on their teeth. Plaque is formed with the accumulation of food debris and bacteria along the gum line.
• Tartar – The plaque mineralizes and turns into tartar after 24/48 hours. When the plaque takes on a yellowish or brownish color, we can speak of tartar. Tartar can only be removed by professional cleaning.
• Gingivitis – Inflammation of the gums that causes pain and redness.
• Periodontal Disease – It is the result of a bad mouth, causing pain, loss of teeth, abscesses and bone infections. It results from the accumulation of tartar that will destroy the tissues and separate the gum from the tooth. If properly treated, the progression of this disease can be prevented. It is more common in small breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, Pincher, Chihuahua or Poodle, among others. Its appearance is also more frequent in senior dogs of all breeds and in cats.

Warning Signs to take into account :

• Bad breath (halitosis)
• reluctance to gnaw
• Excessive Salivation
• Red or swollen gums with blood
• Yellow or brown teeth
• teeth fall out
• loss of appetite

habits to have

There are small habits that we can have from the beginning of the animal's life to avoid problems:

• Brush your pet's teeth daily : You can use your own toothbrushes or not, as long as they are very soft. As for toothpastes, toothpaste suitable for animals should be used as human toothpaste contains a level of fluoride that can be toxic to animals. In dogs that are not used to these routines, we should start with an eraser that is applied to the finger, but as dogs generally like the taste of toothpaste, it is not difficult to get them to accept the brush. The secret is to make this procedure a fun time with our friend.
• Check-Up : The animal must go to the vet every year (in the case of elderly animals twice a year), for a general health check-up. Among other points, the examination includes observation of the oral cavity and depending on the general condition of the teeth and gums, a specific treatment may be recommended.
• Professional Cleaning (Scaling and Polishing) : As soon as the tartar builds up, the animal needs a scaling. This is a veterinary procedure performed solely under general anesthesia to avoid any painful sensations and stress associated with the use of ultrasound. At the end of the process, the teeth are usually polished to prevent the bacteria present in the mouth from adhering to the surface of the tooth again.
• Adequate food : In addition to these care, it is essential that the animal has a balanced diet based on dry food, since the chewing of croquettes has an abrasive effect on the surface of the tooth and is less susceptible to leaving traces of food accumulated between the teeth. compared to wet food (cans) or homemade food.

• Other aids for the oral health of our friends : When daily brushing is not a practical option, there are other methods that allow you to maintain the oral health of animals, such as:

  • Specific chewing sticks for tartar prevention;
  • Specific elixir for animals;
  • Powder to mix in the specific food to prevent the formation of bacterial plaque;
  • Specific diets to prevent the formation of tartar;
  • There are several toys available on the market designed to combat the formation of plaque and tartar that are much appreciated by animals like any other toy. We should not give our pet toys that are abrasive or too hard, as they can wear out too much or even break their teeth.

Dental care prevents diseases, and therefore the costs inherent in their treatment.

With this care, we are not just giving your pet a healthy mouth, we are giving it health to the whole organism.

recommended products

All available oral health products for dogs and cats .