Dental Care

PETS NEED DENTAL CARE, TOO™
For most of us, caring for our teeth and gums has been part of our daily routine for as long as we can remember. Just like it is for you, oral health care is important for pets – regular, professional care from veterinarians and home care from pet owners are needed to prevent dental disease. Daily brushing and feeding special pet foods, such as Hill’s® Prescription Diet® t/d®, can help the build up of plaque.  

CAUSES OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE
Plaque is a colorless film that contains large amounts of bacteria. If left unchecked, plaque builds up, creating infection, destroying gums and resulting in the loss of the tissues and bone that support the teeth. Preventive oral care can reduce the formation of plaque and help maintain proper oral health throughout a pet’s life.

SIGNS OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE
All pets are at risk for developing dental problems. Once a pet displays any of the warning signs below, serious periodontal disease may be present. Don’t wait for these signs, we encourage you to start a preventive program of veterinarian-supervised dental care today.

• Tooth loss
• Subdued behavior
• Abnormal drooling
• Dropping food out of the mouth
• Swallowing food whole
• Bad breath
• Yellow-brown crust on teeth
• Bleeding gums
• Going to the food bowl, but not eating
• Change of chewing or eating habits

TREATMENT OF ORAL DISEASE
• Pet owners should look for warning signs of oral disease. Common indications include bad breath, a change
in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth and depression. If any of these signs are present,
the pet should be taken to the veterinarian for a dental exam.
• Pet owners can reduce the risk of oral disease. The first step in preventing oral disease is a routine physical
examination, including a dental exam.
• Pet owners should practice a regular dental care regimen at home, which may include brushing the pets’
teeth with specially formulated toothpaste.
• Pet owners should schedule regular follow-up care with their family veterinarians and ask about specially
formulated foods with proven benefits in plaque and tartar removal.