bone or substantial bone loss at the lower an early stage so that it will accept it readily Diluted beta-dine can also be used to clean
first molars that can predispose the pet to when older. the oral cavity.
mandibular fractures. Sometimes, the face Scaling the peaks – Scaling is the most effec-
swells up due to dental infection. tive way to remove stubborn tartar and cal-
Dr. Hatekar is one of Pune city’s leading vets.
culus that is resistant to brushing. Today,
DENTAL EXAMINATION most veterinarians opt for ultra sonic scaling
A dental examination carried out by a vet-
– the vibrations loosen the tartar and it does
erinarian should include a visual and manual
not damage the tooth enamel as a hand
inspection to check for signs of gum disease,
scalar would. After scaling, you can use a
tooth discolouration, loose teeth and indica-
dental polishing brush to make the teeth
tions of sensitivity or pain. It may also
shine bright.
include:
Chew right – Dental chews are an excellent
Periodontal probing - This involves the use
way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy and an
of an instrument that probes between the
effective way to control the tartar. As the
tooth and gum to measure the depth of the
dog chews, they help remove the plaque
gum pocket. Deep gum pockets are signs of
and massage the gums. Avoid raw hide
periodontal problems.
chews as they can harbour bacteria, which
Anaesthesia - Proper dental examination
in some cases can lead to an upset tummy.
and performing dental procedures requires
Wash away the germs - Used once a week,
general anaesthesia, choice of anaesthetic chlorhexidine sprays and mouthwashes that
depends on the procedure to be done. contain plaque dissolving enzymes, can help
X-rays - Some tooth problems can only be reduce the bacteria in the mouth. Though
Brushing your dog’s teeth is the
best way to maintain healthy teeth
fully diagnosed by a full-mouth X-ray not as effective as brushing, mouth washes
and gums.
because 70 percent of the tooth structure is and sprays are better than no homecare.
beneath the gum line and thus invisible to
the naked eye.
DENTAL CARE
Permanent teeth get priority – When the
pup’s permanent teeth start to show, you
should carefully check to ensure that the
deciduous teeth (puppy teeth) have fallen
off. If not, then they should be removed as
retained teeth can cause the permanent
tooth to grow crooked. Toy dog breeds
with their tiny jaws and over crowding of
teeth are at special risk for this problem.
Feed a tooth-friendly diet – Pets that eat
mushy food or soft treats are at risk for
developing tartar on their teeth. In such a
case, feeding your dog dry dog food, special
dental chews and hard treats can help
scrape away the plaque. Most veterinarians
prefer food that contains sodium hexam-
etaphosphate – it has been shown to slow
down the rate at which plaque turns into
calculus.
Brush those pearly whites – Brushing your
dog’s teeth is the best way to maintain
healthy teeth and gums. Use a child’s tooth-
brush and a meat or malt flavoured tooth-
paste meant for dogs (avoid using a tooth-
paste meant for humans – it can be toxic). Imported by:
Use a very small amount of toothpaste (it is Bharat International
the brushing that is important) and concen- Plot no 4 and 5, Gat. no. 2337/2, Next to Mahalxmi Mangal Karyalaya, Sai-Satyam
trate on the gum margins. It is advisable to
Park, Wagholi, Pune-Nagar road, Pune 412207. Email-
bharatinternational@vsnl.net
get a puppy accustomed to the brushing at
Web Site-
www.bharatint.com
17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84