February is National Pet Dental Health Month

How would you feel if you had these symptoms:

• Really bad breath
• Loose or broken teeth
• Lack of appetite, weight loss, and/or dropping food
• Red, swollen, painful, bleeding gums

What if it was your 3 year-old child who was having these issues? You wouldn?t hesitate?you?d get the problems fixed and make sure to use good dental hygiene so you don?t have more problems in the future. Right?

Your pet?s dental health is no less important. Did you know that 80% of dogs and 70% of cats have periodontal disease by age 3 (source: American Veterinary Medical Association, 2017)? That?s why we encourage every owner to have us regularly examine your pet’s teeth and perform regular professional dental cleanings.

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Test your pet dental health knowledge with this true/false quiz:

1. True or false — If my pet?s teeth aren?t discolored, I don?t need to worry about their dental health.
   1. False ? There?s much more going on below the gum line than you might think. Bacteria can harm the tissues that keep your pet?s teeth in place, and can even damage the jaw bone.
2. True or false ? It?s too late now to try to get my pet to let me brush their teeth.
   1. False ? Although it?s best to begin a dental health routine when your pet is young, it?s never too late to start. It may take several weeks of gradual, consistent effort before your pet will tolerate a full brushing session. This short video from the American Veterinary Medical Association shows you step-by-step how to get started.
3. True or false ? My pet doesn?t need anesthesia for a dental exam or cleaning.
   1. False ? We do check the overall appearance of your pet?s teeth during an annual exam. But because so much of dental disease occurs below the gum line, most often it is necessary for the animal?s comfort and safety to have their full dental exam (and cleaning, as needed) while under general anesthesia. We welcome your questions on this topic and will be happy to explain how we handle anesthesia in our practice.

Call us today at 720-306-9900 to schedule your pet?s dental health exam. And post a picture of your pet?s smile on our Facebook page; we?ll choose one lucky owner in February to receive $25 off their pet?s next dental exam.

After Teeth Cleaning, Healthy Breath, Healthy Kisses!