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Brush your pet’s teeth

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As National Pet Dental Health Month comes to a close, I wonder how many of us have pried open our pets’ mouths to scrub away tartar and plaque at the risk of losing a finger. Moreover, I wonder how many of us even knew we needed to brush our pets’ teeth.

I, for one, had no idea I was neglecting my 2-year-old terrier’s periodontal needs. But the good people at Dr. Domotor’s Animal House in Monrovia informed me that my dog had plaque build up and needed a good brushing. With the defensiveness of octuplets’ mom Nadya Suleman, I fired back, ‘I need to brush my dog’s teeth?’

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Yes I do.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than 85% of dogs and cats show signs of oral disease by age 4. Just like humans, food particles in the mouth turn into plaque and tartar, leading to gingivitis. Untreated gingivitis makes way for periodontal disease causing tooth decay, bad breath, bleeding gums and tooth loss. Bacteria from periodontal disease can cause illness or even death.

‘It’s important for pet owners to seek professional veterinary care in addition to providing good oral healthcare for their pets at home,’ said Dr. Jeff Smith, president of the California Veterinary Medical Assn.

Yearly check-ups and home dental care can go a long way to preventing irreversible damage to your pet’s teeth and gums.

You can purchase dental care kits at almost any pet store. And the toothpaste doesn’t require your pet to rinse and spit. Unless, of course, it needs to spit out your finger.

-- Graham McCann

Los Angeles Times

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