Poor oral hygiene, can affect the digestive system of the animal
Taking daily care of our pet is key to their good health. In animals, oral hygiene is very important, since poor care could directly affect the function of the digestive system and indirectly the rest of the body. Here, small breed dogs are more prone to these types of problems than those of larger breeds. To prevent problems, it is important that from a young age they get used to having their mouth manipulated and that the cleaning action can be carried out easily.
Keys to the oral health care of our pets
To know what steps we must follow to help our pets have a healthy mouth, the veterinary Anna Martínos gives the keys to it:
Preventive care
Preventive care with specific products, such as toothpastes and antiseptics, that prevent the future accumulation of bacteria in dental plaque, will delay the appearance of diseases in the mouth and teeth. The use of these is simple and there are products on the market for pets with pleasant flavors for our four-legged companions and for use on a regular basis.
Antiseptics and toothpastes without rinsing
There are specific toothpastes for dogs and cats, for example, with meat flavor and that do not need rinsing. This allows its use to be easy and comfortable. The products used for veterinary patients are usually enzymatic and very effective, some do not even require brushing and are applied to the gums, gradually releasing, thus improving their effectiveness and allowing less frequent application. Currently there are various antiseptics with a wide variety of benefits to make them comfortable to use in animals that are more difficult to handle.
Periodic oral cleanings
As for oral cleaning, the ideal frequency would be to perform it every day, but currently there are products on the market that allow the application to be spaced more over time. Any action that is carried out will be very beneficial and will delay the appearance of dental plaque over time.
Annual Vet Review
Veterinarians recommend an annual check-up on our pets, in which a health check is carried out and the condition of the mouth and teeth are checked. Although, in elderly patients, a semi-annual or even more frequent review may be necessary.
Maintenance at home or at the vet, depending on the age of the dog
daily and weekly maintenance of oral health must always be carried out at home. Patients, especially the elderly and those who do not receive preventive treatment at home, often require dental examination and prophylaxis under sedation. In this case, it must be carried out in the veterinary clinic and by specialized personnel. Prophylaxis is usually carried out with ultrasound equipment and it is very frequent that the extraction of damaged dental pieces is necessary.
Poor oral health can cause a lot of pain, especially in geriatric dogs, who can have difficulties eating due to pain in the teeth, and which cause poor general condition, weakness, weight loss of the patient and, ultimately, a worse quality of lifetime.
