More and more research from the likes of the Mayo Clinic, the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) and the American Medical Association (AMA), is linking oral health to the health of the entire body. This same connection holds an even greater risk and reward for our pets due to their compressed lifespan. Plaque build-up in pets is the primary factor associated with periodontal disease.
Here is some sound and easy-to-follow oral care advice to help keep our pets happy and healthy:
Keep plaque at bay: Just like we care for our own teeth daily, our pets’ mouths also need daily attention to keep their teeth and gums in good shape. Some dogs and cats are more open to having their teeth brushed than others. If possible, it’s best to train your pet from an early age, but older pets can also learn new tricks — including accepting a vanilla or peanut-butter flavored toothbrush in their mouth. If for some reason your pet is completely intolerant to your attempts to brush her teeth, consider using an oral care probiotic like EvoraPet ($14.95 for a 30-day supply) to promote fresh breath, clean teeth and a strong immune system. It can be sprinkled on your pets food and has no taste or odor. (I’m about to try this out on Alice to see if it helps with her horrendous breath.) Another product, Tropiclean Clean Teeth Gel claims to remove plaque and tartar without brushing. The gel is applied directly to the teeth and gums at night to soften and help diminish build up.
Make exercise a priority: Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive functioning and to increase the heart’s efficiency. According to Linda Loren of Oragenics, Inc., researchers are also exploring the link between heart health and oral health. Walking, jogging and playing with our pets are great ways to help them stay active, strong and flexible as part of an overall healthy lifestyle that promotes oral health as well.
Feed with care: Healthy eating habits, which build the body’s defense system against disease, also reduce the production of plaque. Avoid giving your pet junk food or processed human products. Bite-sized pieces of apple, carrots and sweet potatoes make great treats that will boost your animals’ health as an extra reward.
Reduce pet stress: Pets are sensitive beings and can pick up the stress of their family members. In addition to carrying human stress, separation anxiety, fear of loud noises (fireworks, thunder storms, etc.) and over-excitement all have their effect on pets’ stress hormone levels. Stress has an effect on both the health of the body and oral health. Loren suggests the following ways to help destress pets:
- Classical music, specifically Baroque, is said to have a stress-reducing effect on both pets and people.
- For quelling fear and anxiety, including noise anxiety, try Thundershirt .
- To help your furry friend during times of emotional upset, try alcohol-free Bach Flower Rescue Remedy for Pets.
Provide plenty of fresh water: When our pets drink water it helps to remove particles from the surface of teeth and generates saliva. Saliva contains calcium and phosphate and promotes dental health. Saliva also helps to neutralize the pH of the mouth to maintain the correct bacterial balance. My pup Alice is not the most enthusiastic drinker (in fact she seems to fear all things water-related, from baths to her water bowl). Loren shared these tips for encouraging our pets to drink more water throughout the day:
- Offer ice cubes or ice chips as a fun, frozen treat.
- Place ice cubes in your pet’s water bowl to promote more frequent drinking.
- Keep the water fresh and clean. Try changing their water twice daily or sooner if you notice any particles in their drinking bowl.