We love our pets and care for them a lot. We get them the best in food, toys and bedding to show our love for them. And yet even as we try to do right by them, we realize that there are still some areas in which we can still use some improvement. One example is dental care. According to the American Veterinary Dental Association at least 80% of all household pets develop serious dental problems by the time they are three years old! This is a very high percentage considering the fact that most household pets have owners who are genuinely looking out for their well-being.

But the statistics have little to do with how much we care and more to do with how little we might actually know. The fact is that pet owners are probably not aware of the proper ways to care for the dental health of their pets or how to prevent common dental problems. Actually taking care of your pet’s oral hygiene is relatively simple. Just be guided by these simple tips:

Home Care for Healthy Teeth
1. Follow a good tooth brushing routine to ensure that your pet’s teeth are regularly cleaned and well-maintained. Try to brush your pet’s teeth at least three times a week. Use soft toothbrushes with tasty toothpaste to make it a fun experience both for you and your pet. Do not use human toothpastes; specially formulated pet toothpastes are available in the market. If you are finding it difficult to make your pet behave while brushing his teeth, try using finger toothbrushes which work just as well. These toothbrushes resemble gloves which can be worn over fingers. They are smaller and much easier to use inside a pet’s mouth.

2. Feed your pet a good dry pet food diet- The dry kibble formulated for dogs keeps teeth cleaner and healthier. Even if you are feeding your pet canned food, make sure that you feed him dry treats afterwards.

3. Select the right toys- Find pet toys which are specifically made for dogs. Do not let your dog chew on something which may be too hard for him. A fractured tooth can be really painful for your pet, plus it could potentially be really expensive for you to get it treated! Nylon bones, rubber toys and lots of other alternatives are available in the market and are designed for dogs to chew on. The right toys could also be great for massaging your pet’s gums while also rubbing off the plaque.

4. Breath fresheners- Dogs can have smelly breath even when they don’t have any dental problems. In addition to cleaning his teeth, use a breath-freshener, which contains chlorhexidine solutions to clean out the bacteria in his mouth.

5. Home oral exams- carry out a thorough check-up of your pet’s mouth at least once a week to make sure that there are no hidden problems. Warning signs of serious dental problems are foul breath, bleeding and swollen gums, discolored and missing teeth, unexplained bumps and lumps, tartar or hard yellow deposits around the gums and teeth, and bleeding and pus when you press down on the teeth and the gums.

6. Regular vet visits- Regardless of how committed you are to your pet’s oral hygiene, it’s always helpful to seek professional opinion. Get a vet to check your dog’s teeth and gums at least two times a year. If you have a good cleaning and tooth brushing routine in place, the vet should not have too much left to do. A trained vet can also catch hidden problems early on. Early detection also means early treatment.