February: Pet Dental Month

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February is Pet Dental Month!

Poor dental health can lead to serious health issues, behavior issues, and – most importantly – is just, plain miserable for your loved one. If you’ve ever had a tooth ache, swollen gums, or any other dental problem, you know just how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be. Do your pet a favor and take these steps to ensure their dental health is taken care of:

Yearly Checkups

Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to ensure a healthy mouth and to look out for any early signs of a larger problem. Your veterinarian can clean, adjust, fill, extract, and/or repair your pets’ teeth as needed. If you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior, or observe any signs of dental stress, it’s time to visit the veterinarian.

Home Care

The most effective prevention of the most common oral diseases in pets is regular brushing. Brushing your pet’s teeth several times a week can greatly reduce the risk of disease, and can even eliminate the need for a veterinary dental visit.
Sometimes regularly brushing your pet’s teeth just isn’t realistic. Maybe your pet doesn’t like people touching their mouth and refuses to allow you to brush their teeth. There are several dental products out there on the market. Ask your vet which products would be best for your pet, as some are certainly better than others!

The importance of your pet’s dental health cannot be understated. Avoid serious health issues down the road and take care of your pet’s teeth today! Yearly veterinary dental visits and continual home care will go a long way to keeping your best friend healthy and happy for years to come!