Why Daily Dog Toothbrushing Matters: A Guide to Pet Dental Health

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and it’s the perfect time to revisit your daily dental routine with your best friend. Don’t have a daily dental routine for your dog? Now is a perfect opportunity to start one. Maintaining your dog’s dental hygiene isn’t simply important because it helps eliminate bad breath and unsightly plaque buildup (although reducing the noxious odors coming from your dog’s mouth is a benefit). The reality is that poor dental hygiene often leads to far worse consequences—the bacteria that proliferates inside a dog’s oral cavity makes its way to the bloodstream and spreads infection to the kidneys, liver, brain, and heart.

Preventative measures such as daily tooth brushing and providing dental chew treats are integral in maintaining and/or improving your dog’s periodontal health. It is also recommended that you have your dog’s teeth and gums examined once a year by your veterinarian. Frequent cleanings by your vet can help ensure that harmful bacteria and painful infection don’t spread throughout your dog’s body. By taking care of his teeth, you are ultimately protecting his long-term health and longevity.

In recognition of Pet Dental Health Month, Healthy Pets of Lewis Center is offering free dental X-rays and $35.00 off dental cleanings for the month of February. You’d be wise to check with your vet to see if they are offering any discounts this month as well.

For more information on how you can support your dog’s dental hygiene, check out these links, including this YouTube video demonstrating how to brush Fido’s teeth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHR6FpmkWOY.

https://www.avma.org/Events/pethealth/Pages/February-is-National-Pet-Dental-Health-Month.aspx

http://www.petmd.com/dog/grooming/evr_dg_oral_hygiene_and_your_dogs_health?page=show