Tips for keeping your dog's teeth and gums healthy

February is National Pet Dental Health Month, an initiative by the American Veterinary Medical Association to raise awareness about the importance of pet oral hygiene. While February is the awareness month, dental care for your dog is a year-round necessity for their overall well-being. In fact, pet oral hygiene should be a daily event. Dental disease affects most dogs. Small and toy breeds of dogs can be especially prone to problematic teeth due to the small size of their mouth. Besides causing unsightly dirty teeth, foul smell and pain, dental and gum disease can also lead to serious health issues affecting a dog's heart, kidneys and liver. Periodontal disease is the most common dental condition in dogs and cats. By age 3, 80% of dogs and cats show signs of dental disease (plaque, tartar, bad breath) or periodontal disease, which will worsen as a dog grows older if effective preventive measures aren't taken. Periodontal disease starts with plaque that hardens into tartar. Tartar above the gumline can often easily be seen and removed, but plaque and tartar below the gumline is damaging and sets the stage for infection and damage to the jawbone and the tissues that connect the tooth to the jawbone. Early detection and treatment are critical, because advanced periodontal disease can cause severe problems and pain for your dog. Periodontal disease doesn't just affect a pet's mouth, as it can also lead to disease affecting the kidneys, heart muscle and liver changes. Your pet's teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of problems and to keep your pet's mouth healthy. Have your pet's teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems: • Bad breath • Broken or loose teeth • Extra teeth or retained baby teeth • Teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar • Abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth • Reduced appetite or refusal to eat • Pain in or around the mouth • Bleeding from the mouth • Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth • Foul smell coming from the mouth The treatment of periodontal disease involves a thorough dental cleaning, and X-rays may be needed to determine the severity of the disease. Because most dental disease occurs below the gumline, where you can't see it, a thorough dental cleaning and evaluation are performed under anesthesia. Dental cleaning includes scaling (to remove dental plaque and tartar) and polishing, like the process used on your own teeth during your regular dental cleanings. Anesthesia makes it possible to perform the dental procedures with less stress and pain for your pet. In addition, anesthesia allows for a better cleaning because your pet is not moving around and risking injury from the dental equipment. If radiographs (X-rays) are needed, your pet needs to be very still in order to obtain good images, and this is unlikely without sedation or anesthesia. Besides professional cleaning, there are things you can do at home to help the cleanliness of your dog's teeth. Daily brushing of a dog's teeth is the gold standard of at-home dental care. Get your dog used to having their mouth touched and handled at an early age. Ask your veterinarian for help when starting a teeth cleaning program for your dog. Please note, it is important to never use human toothpaste. Look for products that have been tested and approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council such as oral gels, dental diets, chews, water additive, oral gel spray and proper toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental wipes. For more information on responsible dog ownership, visit www.akc.org.