One of the most overlooked areas of pet care is the teeth, and that is a shame because problems in the mouth can lead to much more serious problems that can endanger and shorten the pet's life. Even pet owners who are conscientious in other areas of their pet's health often ignore the dental area. Dogs and cats do not have a high incidence of tooth decay, but by the time they reach their third birthday, 70% of cats and 80% of dogs show signs of gum disease (gingivitis). Symptoms include yellow and brown buildup of tartar along the gumline, red enflamed gums and constant bad breath. At this point brushing will not help, and the tartar needs to be removed by the vet using special dental tools.

If left untreated, gingivitis will lead to a much worse condition called periodontal disease. Tartar builds up under the gums, causing the gum to separate from the tooth, leaving an opening for infection to form. This infection, in addition to causing the pet pain, can get into the bloodstream and damage the heart valves, liver and kidneys. Periodontal disease can be treated and halted, but why let it reach this point? It is unlikely that your pet will let on that it is in pain; they tend to keep it to themselves. Some signs that there is a problem would be a change in eating habits or even ignoring food, or lack of interest in chewies or toys.

It is best to begin with a checkup and a veterinary dental cleaning if needed. This will remove tartar as well as invisible plaque that is the precursor to tartar buildup. The teeth and gums are checked for signs of disease or infection, and any problems are treated. The pet comes home with a healthy mouth, and now it is just a matter of keeping it that way.

A product that recently became available is easy to use and protects the pet's teeth and gums better than brushing. The OraVet System is designed to prevent plaque from building up on your pet's teeth by putting a protective coating on the teeth. It is a two-part program that begins with a visit to the vet for a dental checkup. If there is already tartar buildup it will have to be removed so that you can start with clean teeth. As the final step of the dental cleaning, the vet will apply the OraVet Barrier Sealant to the teeth. This creates an invisible barrier that prevents bacteria from attaching to your pets teeth and forming plaque, the precursor to tartar. If you brush your pet's teeth, you can continue to do so, since brushing will not affect the sealant. The second part of the treatment is your job. OraVet Plaque Prevention Gel is applied to the pet's teeth and gums once a week to reinforce the sealant that the vet applied. It is easy to do and takes less than a minute, and will keep your pet's teeth shiny and white and, more important, healthy.

A lot of people balk at the idea of brushing a pet's teeth, but it doesn't have to be all that bad, and can be easy if done right. Some dogs and cats even enjoy it, and others will tolerate the procedure if it is made to be a fun thing that you do together. There are toothbrushes designed for dogs and cats, and sponge cleaning devices for a softer touch. Since dogs and cats cannot gargle and spit, they have to swallow the toothpaste. Human toothpaste is too harsh for their digestive tracts, but good tasting pet toothpaste is available in a number of flavors that they like. Brushing your pet’s teeth is a small price to pay for a healthier pet with better breath. Also worth trying are raw marrow (soup) bones. Let your dog chew on (no more than) 1 or 2 of these a week and watch his teeth shimmer!