Dental Health

Beyond being unpleasant, your pet’s bad breath could be a warning sign for more serious problems. In fact, more than 90 percent of dogs over age three suffer from dental disease. With February being National Pet Dental Health Month, Dr. Andrea Sanchez, on behalf of Banfield Pet Hospital and the Greenies Brand, spoke with us about how to better protect our working dogs – and pets – from dental disease.

“Tooth decay and pain or tooth loss in the mouth is correlated with kidney disease and even heart disease,” explains Dr. Sanchez. “We like to say that dental health is a mirror to overall pet wellness.”

Bad breath is the number one sign of disease, an indication of a bacterial infection. Yellow or brown discoloration of the teeth, redness or inflammation of the gums, and chipped or missing teeth are also signs to watch out for. “All dogs get dental disease,” explains Dr. Sanchez. “Larger breed dogs or athletic dogs can be more susceptible to tooth fractures because they like to pick up things and hold them in their mouths or to chew various objects, which can lead to tooth decay.”

Flip-Check-Treat

What does Dr. Sanchez recommend? The Flip-Check-Treat routine, which she demonstrates on Bower, a mixed-breed dog chosen to help exhibit the technique during the interview.

1. Flip the lips and check the teeth for any of the physical signs of disease, as mentioned above.

2. Make sure your dog is checked by a veterinarian during their regular checkups, as well as a thorough dental cleaning annually.

3. Reward this whole process. “We want your pet to welcome the whole process of flipping and checking, to learn that it’s worth it to be patient, so we offer a treat” says Dr. Sanchez. “But not just any treat. Use a textured treat like Greenies Dental treats because they are designed to scrape plaque off teeth and enhance tooth brushing.”

Dog owners can visit Flipchecktreat.com for a downloadable guide and links to other website resources.