Good Dental Hygiene Not Just for People Anymore

It has recently come to Mr. Ming's attention that by age two years most pets are in Stage One or Stage Two of dental disease, which is irreversible.

And, while there are veternary dentists who perform root canals and crowns on their furry patients, most of us have a tough enough time getting those procedures done ourselves (the costs involved and the thrill of the experience notwithstanding). 

More importantly, an animal's  poor dental health: periodontal disease, plaque, tartar, and dental neck lesions (in cats), etc., are strong indicators that there may be something untoward going on with its overall health such as kidney disease. It goes without saying that responsible pet owners want what is best for their pets, and thankfully, there are various options for the care of their teeth from the cosmetic to the surgical.    

For the cosmetic option, there is Anaesthesia Free-Teeth Cleaning.That's right. Not only is this a real boon for pets but a cost savings as well. Let's get down to brass tacks.  Costs. The costs for anaesthesia-free teeth cleaning usually runs about $100.00. 

From the Canine Care, Inc.  pamphlet, "Canine Care Inc. has provided cosmetics anesthesia-free teeth cleaning since 1980. Our technique is kind and gentle. They [pet's teeth] will look and smell so much better after a cleaning. No more bad breath!"  

The Canine Care Inc. service includes "toothbrushes, dentifrice, cotton swabs, gauze, floss, etc., to remove plaque and tartar from the exposed portions of your pets' teeth as allowed by California State Law."  And, they also endorse and fully support regular dental check ups.  

For more details, call Sharon Warnke 494-8056   (about Anesthesia-Free Teeth Cleaning), or visit  in Benicia. 

The surgical alternative, whether it's for a deep gum cleaning or a tooth extraction, needs certain tests to be run on the pet, especially an older one, before the procedure.  People do get concerned about the costs involved.

Veterinary Assistant, Ashley Scism, of the Animal Clinic of Benicia, explained why the tests are reccomended.  "Before we perform any procedure requiring anesthesia, we run tests to confirm that the pet's organs are functioning properly and to reveal any hidden health conditions that could put the pet at risk," she said. 

She  added,  "Dental exams uncover mouth infections, which can cause problems with vital organs." With the testing and dental cleaning, polishing, extraction, etc., the costs can run between $300 - $900 depending on each individual treatment.  

To determine if your pet is having dental problems, besides the obvious - really BAD BREATH-  look for the following signs: dribbling, sore mouth, difficulty eating, loose teeth or tooth loss, pawing or rubbing the mouth, bleeding gums,  or yellow or brown tartar on teeth.   

Also, smaller breeds tend to have more dental issues; sticky foods can lead to a faster build up of plaque; and dental disease is more common in older pets.  Don't forget to check out the dental hygiene isle at the local pet store as they carry many products to aid in the maintenance of your pet's dental health.

Remember, your loving canine or feline companion cannot always tell you when they feel sick, so a good regimen is to have your pet's choppers checked at least once a year.This look at pet dentistry is Mr. Ming approved!Until next week, Keep smiling!