4 tips for caring for pets’ teeth

Veterinarian explains the importance of paying attention to the oral health of dogs and cats

With so much care that pets need, teeth often go unnoticed. However, they demand the same attention as human oral health, as teeth can also be affected by some problems.

According to veterinarian and professor Dr. Valeska Rodrigues, getting animals used to daily brushing will bring benefits for better oral condition, such as preventing illnesses and reducing the need for dental care by a veterinarian.

“Pets, like humans, need daily brushing to remove bacterial plaque and, consequently, prevent it from becoming the famous tartar, which is already more difficult to remove, requiring dental treatment by a veterinarian”, emphasizes the teacher.

Therefore, Dr. Valeska Rodrigues lists 4 tips for you to get your pet used to daily brushing and avoid infections. Check out!

According to Dr. Valeska Rodrigues, there are two types of pet brushes on the market: the traditional ones, very similar to ours, with a different head size and number of bristles, and the finger brushes, made of plastic or silicone, which look like those recommended for babies. Both can help brush your pet’s teeth and remove excess food. However, the finger brush is the most recommended, as it is comfortable for the animals and easy to use.

Regarding the types of food, Dr. Valeska Rodrigues points out that dogs and cats should consume foods recommended for them, since the food grain is indicated for the animal’s size, with mechanical action in chewing, avoiding unnecessary accumulations in the cavity orally or between teeth. “Some snacks should also be avoided to prevent periodontal disease, mainly from human food”, says the specialist.

In addition to choosing the right brush and offering adequate food, it is also important to pay attention to the diseases and infections that poor dental care can cause in animals. Dogs and cats have molar teeth and, in some cases, they can be affected by periodontal disease that is severe enough to require extraction. Therefore, it is always good to pay attention to cats, check their teeth, pay attention to their breath and the color of their gums.

According to Dr. Valeska Rodrigues, the use of orthodontic appliances in veterinary medicine is restricted and is best suited for patients with severe facial bone deformities or accidents that led to tooth mobility.

“Commonly, pets undergo root canal treatment to try to preserve a fractured tooth, with exposed dental pulp. However, animals are adapted to losses and when extraction is necessary, they quickly return to eating solid food. The discomfort caused by periodontal disease is usually worse when grasping and chewing food than when teeth are lost/extracted”, explains the specialist.