Oral disease is the most common health problem for pets. By the age of three, approximately 80% of dogs and 75% of cats have developed periodontal disease. Periodontal disease begins when plaque, a soft film containing bacteria, forms on your pet’s teeth. If not removed, the plaque will harden into tartar. This tartar builds up below the gum line, causing inflammation of the gum tissues (gingivitis) and the lining of the tooth socket (periodontitis). Without treatment, your pet’s teeth can loosen or fall out, and the bacteria can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious health problems. One milligram of dental plaque contains over 1 trillion bacteria that can spread throughout a pet’s body and harm major organs. Left untreated, the infection can lead to tooth decay or tooth loss and can even spread though the bloodstream and cause kidney, liver, lung and heart problems. However, it is treatable and can be prevented by following a program of regular veterinary dental exams and a home dental care routine.

• Yellow-brown tartar near the gum line
• Red, swollen or bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Abnormal drooling
• Pawing at the mouth
• Loose or missing teeth
• Difficulty eating or loss of appetite

Do not feed table scraps- this can increase the formation of plaque and tartar. Ask your veterinarian about changing to a pet food designed specifically to reduce plaque and tartar. Special Diets:

• Science Diet T/D, Science Diet Oral Care and Purina DH: all are ‘mesh-type’ diets that scrub the teeth with a fibrous mesh to help remove build-up of plaque.
• CET oral hygiene chews (cats) and CET rawhide chews (dogs): contain a dual-enzyme system that increases natural antibacterial systems present in the mouth.

Train your pet to accept regular brushings at home. You can start the training by rubbing gauze or a soft clothe across the teeth with your finger. Once your pet has become accustomed to this, specially-designed pet toothbrushes and toothpastes are available.

A dental exam should be part of your pet’s regular health checkup. Dental problems can be prevented or treated with regular cleaning and scaling done by the veterinarian. Under general anesthesia, plaque and tartar can be removed from the teeth and also from below the gum line where bacteria can hide. The teeth are also polished to help maintain healthy teeth.

Oravet® is a plaque prevention system. It significantly reduces plaque and tartar formation by creating an invisible barrier that helps prevent bacteria from attaching to your pet's teeth. It is applied at home to your pet’s teeth every two week.

Your pet is never too old to start a dental care routine. It is an important step in maintaining health. The older you pet is, the more likely it is to develop oral disease.