Call us 513-791-7912
  MONTGOMERY ANIMAL HOSPITAL
  • Home
  • Covid-19
  • What is AAHA?
  • Services
  • Our Team
  • Tour
  • Contact
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop Now
  • Resources
  • Home
  • Covid-19
  • What is AAHA?
  • Services
  • Our Team
  • Tour
  • Contact
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Shop Now
  • Resources

How to protect your pet's smile

2/9/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
February is Pet Dental Health Month, so this month we'll focus on your pet's smile. Pets need daily dental care just like we do in order to avoid painful disease and tooth loss. While our pets are naturally more resistant to cavities than we are, they frequently suffer from infected tooth roots and painful periodontal disease. So here are the 5 steps to prevent disease (and say goodbye to bad breath):

1) Brush those teeth
Daily brushing with an enzymatic pet toothpaste is the single best way to prevent dental disease and avoid costly treatments. Check out our video for an easy step-by-step guide to getting started. We promise that if you take it slowly (days to weeks) and keep it positive with lots of treats and praise, this will even become enjoyable! The key here is daily - plaque hardens to tartar in just 24 hours, so brushing at monthly grooming appointments won't do much to slow dental disease.

2) Use treats or rinses
Ok, you're still in the training phase or you just don't have time one day to brush those pearly whites. What can you do? Give your pet a VOHC (Veterinary Oral Health Council) approved dental treat, use a dental rinse or water additive, or feed prescription dental diet if appropriate for your pet. Chat with us and be honest - while none of these is as good as brushing, they're all better than no home dental care at all. We can find a strategy for your individual needs. 

3) Check the mouth monthly
Lift up your pet's lips and look at the teeth and gums at least once a month. If you notice any odor, cracked or missing teeth, red or swollen gums, or new lumps call us right away. The sooner we catch and address a dental problem the better! You can also feel for the lymph nodes and salivary glands under the skin where the jaw meets the throat. If they're larger than normal or asymmetrical, call us.

4) Get a professional opinion
We will thoroughly examine your pet's mouth during their annual (and biannual for seniors) exams. We look for gingivitis (gum redness, rolling, or swelling), loss of gum attachment, broken or missing teeth, oral masses, odor, and pain. We will of course also examine your entire pet from nose to tail, and perform laboratory tests as needed to look for any subtle changes.

5) Schedule a full cleaning
Most pets will need several (if not yearly) full dental evaluations under anesthesia during their lifetime. During the procedure the teeth are cleaned both below and above the gum line, the entire oral cavity is assessed, radiographs are taken to evaluate the tooth roots, extractions are performed as needed, and sealant can be applied to delay the recurrence of tartar buildup in the future. 
Picture
Before cleaning
Picture
After cleaning
Dental disease is linked to heart valve and kidney infections, which are much more difficult to treat than the mouth. Good oral hygiene can prevent these serious consequences, allowing your pet to live a longer and dental pain-free life. ​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Dr. Krumanaker

    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Birds
    Cats
    Diseases
    Dogs
    Fleas And Ticks
    Food And Nutrition
    Pet Care
    Pet Dangers To Avoid

    Archives

    December 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015

    RSS Feed

Office Hours

  • Monday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Friday 7:30 am to 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed

Montgomery Animal Hospital

7670 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45236
Phone: (513) 791-7912
AAHA, veterinarian, animal hospital, pet hospital

After Hours Care

Your pet care needs occurring after  business hours can be addressed by one of the local veterinary emergency hospitals.
  • MedVet (Fairfax): (513) 561-0069, 3964 Red Bank Rd.
  • C.A.R.E. Center (Sharonville/Montgomery): (513) 530-0911, 6995 E. Kemper Rd. 
Site powered by Weebly. Managed by IDEXX Laboratories
Photos used under Creative Commons from GemWebb, Sister72, rubyfenn