Regular dental checkups are vital to maintaining your pet's oral health as well as overall health. As food and other organic particles accumulate on the teeth, a coating is formed known as plaque that hardens and mineralizes into calculus, or tartar. Plaque and tartar contain bacteria that produce toxins, which irritate the gums making them tender, red, and swollen, allowing the plaque and tartar to reach the root of the tooth. This causes the gums to become inflamed and bleed easily; this may lead to tooth loss or irreversible periodontal disease. When the gums bleed, this allows the bacteria to enter the bloodstream where it can then travel to vital organs like the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and nervous system and cause major infections. Ask us about professional dental cleanings for the health of your pet.

At home preventative dental care is simple and effective. Follow these guidelines for maintaining your pet's oral hygiene:

• Feed hard or coarse food such as Hill's Prescription Diet T/D or Hill's Science Diet Oral Care. These foods are specially formulated to prevent tartar formation.
• Provide rawhide, hard rubber or nylon chews for your dog. C.E.T. Chews for dogs and cats are treated with enzymes to breakdown plaque buildup on the teeth of your pet.
• Brush your pet's teeth regularly. Using a finger brush or small sized tooth brush together with C.E.T. Enzymatic Toothpaste in mint or poultry flavors is helpful in maintaining good oral health.  Oravet plaque prevention gel is a good alternative to daily tooth brushing.
• Regular professional dental cleanings at The Pet Clinic are the most effective way to ensure good dental health of your pet.

Call us to schedule a FREE dental checkup for your pet. We will be glad to answer your questions about your best friend's oral health.