S M I L E !!!

Spring will soon be in our rear view mirror and summer will be here and, as the school year comes to an end and the temperatures soar, everyone has a smile on their face.

As humans, our teeth and smiles are very important to us and so it should also be for your furry four legged friend.

As part of your pet’s general health routine, his teeth are very important.  Regular brushing, using a pet toothbrush or a finger brush, and pet approved tooth paste, which comes in chicken and beef flavours, should be just as routine as going for a walk.

If you have a new puppy, it’s never too early to start.  When you first start, just gently put your finger inside your pet’s mouth and rub around the gum line and over the teeth. This will help your pet to get used to having you feeling inside his mouth.

When your pup gets used to you rubbing his gums with your finger, try putting a little tooth paste on so he can associate the good flavour of the tooth paste as a good thing.  

Once he is used to that, start with a small amount of tooth paste on the brush you are going to use.  I have always found it easier to get a pup used to a finger brush as opposed to a long handled tooth brush, but use whatever is easier for you and your pup.

With the paste on the brush, gently go around your pup’s entire mouth, starting at the back of the mouth and rubbing gently at the top of each tooth by the gum line where tarter begins to accumulate. The process should not take too long but don’t rush, just gently rub around each tooth.

Once brushing becomes a part of you pup’s daily routine, he will enjoy it.  You should strive to brush your pup’s teeth a minimum of three times a week to help remove any plaque and to prevent any tartar accumulation.

Your vet will check your pet’s teeth as part of his yearly physical exam and will be able to tell you if you are cleaning them properly, if there is a buildup of plaque or tartar, or if there are any teeth that may need to be extracted.

But if you are diligent and keep your pup on a regular routine for his oral health, you will find that expensive dental work at the vet’s

office, which entails having to put your pup under a general anesthesia, may be avoided.

If you look at your pup’s teeth and see darkened colour at the top of the teeth at the gum line, this indicates that there is a buildup of plaque.

If you want to avoid a hefty bill at the vet, you can opt to get a cosmetic cleaning done which does not require your pup to be put under anesthesia.

PetValu offers a monthly dental clinic, operated by Kissable K9, where a specially trained professional will basically “swaddle” your pup in a large blanket or towel and clean his teeth, without using anesthetic, and the results are amazing.

Dental disease in dogs is quite common but can also be prevented if we take the time to regularly clean our pets’ teeth and provide other things to help keep plaque from building up.

In addition to brushing, or if you are not able to brush your pet’s teeth, you can purchase a Doggy Dental Spray which is sold at most major pet retail stores. You can also offer your pup “Bully Sticks” or raw bones to chew on, both of which will help loosen up and remove plaque from the teeth.

You can also give your pet certain fruits and vegetables, and plain Greek yogurt, which is a great source of calcium. Also the “whey” in yogurt contains peptides that fight tartar and plaque and take care of the bacteria which are responsible for tooth decay.

There are also molded Dental Chews, or Dental Care Specific dry dog kibble which you can give to your pet to help keep his teeth clean and strong.

So have a good look inside your dog’s mouth, have him checked by your vet, and take the time to make sure his teeth are clean and strong, and you will both be able to have a great smile for the camera.