When your vet examines and cleans your pet's teeth, he/she will anesthetize him, as dogs and cats are no fonder of a visit to the dentist than are their owners. You may want to schedule other care that may require anesthesia at the same time.

DOG DENTAL FACTS

• Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt at about three to four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth that begin to emerge at about four months.
• Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, inflamed gums and persistent bad breath.
• Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects, such as commercially available cow hooves, is a primary cause of broken teeth in dogs.

CAT DENTAL FACTS

• Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt at about two to three weeks of age. They have 30 permanent teeth that erupt at about three to four months.
• Symptoms of periodontal disease in cats include yellow and brown tartar buildup along the gum line, red inflamed gums, and bad breath.
• Resobtive lesions are the most common tooth disease in domestic cats. Studies show that about 28 percent of domestic cats develop at least one of these painful lesions during their lifetime.

HOME DENTAL CARE TIPS (suggested by Texas A&M)

1. Gently pet and scratch the muzzle, slowly lifting the lip for about 30 seconds. Reward with a treat at the end of the session.

2. Repeat as above except gently run your finger over your pet's teeth for 30 to 45 seconds. Reward and praise again.

3. If all is going well, insert the finger brush over your index finger and then gently insert into your pet's mouth and rub the teeth for about 30 seconds.

4. Repeat as above, adding a small amount of the pet-friendly tooth paste to the finger brush and gently pass it over the teeth.

You know your pet best of all. If you feel that it is accepting the brushing well, gradually increase the brushing time until you are able to spend at least one minute on each side. At any time that your pet resists, stop and wait until the next day, if your pet is still resistant, contact your veterinarian for assistance.

*Human toothpaste is for humans and NOT for pets. It is common for human toothpaste to cause stomach problems and even vomiting in animals, it has too much fluoride.

Feel free to ask a doctor or staff member about any of our recommendations

It is impossible to include the answers to all your questions in a simple brochure. If a friend or relative gives you advice about any of these issues and it seems in conflict with our ideas, please allow us a chance to go into more detail about our experiences.