Good dental hygiene is as important for your dog or cat as it is for you. Along with causing him or her to have unsightly teeth, dental problems can cause your pet to have bad breath and they could be fatal in some extreme cases. To help take care of your pet’s teeth, you can have them cleaned, on a regular basis at a veterinary clinic in Leawood, KS.
How Often to Clean Teeth?
The frequency with which your pet will need his or her teeth professionally cleaned will depend on the amount of plaque and tartar build-up. Some pets may need to go to their veterinary clinic once a month to have their teeth checked and cleaned. Left unchecked, tartar and plaque can result in periodontal disease, which puts your dog or cat at risk for getting bacteria in his or her bloodstream.
Brushing Their Teeth
One way to keep plaque and tartar in check is to brush your pet’s teeth. Although your pet may not be fond of this type of care, it will keep his or her teeth in better shape, his or her breath will be fresher, and it can reduce his or her visits to the veterinary clinic. The best time to start brushing your pet’s teeth is when he or she is very young so that he or she will get used to this type of routine care. Vets at the Cherokee Animal Clinic can show you how to clean them.
If you have a young pet, start dental care by wiping his or her gums with a soft, damp cloth. Then, after his or her teeth have grown in, start using a baby’s toothbrush to very gently clean his or her teeth and gums. By the time he or she is an adult, he or she should be used to having his or her teeth brushed. However, never use human toothpaste. Always use plain water or choose toothpaste that taste like meat made especially for pets.
