Dental care in dogs and cats

Taking care of the teeth of dogs and cats is just as important as taking care of your own teeth. Just like humans, dogs and cats can suffer from bad breath or dental problems. Dental problems in dogs and cats have many causes; type of food, genetics, snacks, etc. Regular dental care prevents problems and expensive veterinary interventions.

Although chews, candy/tablets/food containing tooth-caring substances (chlorophyll, propolis, etc.), chewing toys (kong, floss, etc.) help to care for the teeth, additional dental care products are necessary for good dental maintenance. Brushing your teeth remains the best method to keep your dog or cat's teeth healthy. You can see how you approach and learn how to brush your teeth in the videos below.

If brushing your teeth really doesn't work, there are all kinds of other ways to take extra care of your dog or cat's teeth. Beaphar has a wide range of dental care products. These products contain enzymes that break down plaque and ingredients that bind calcium so that tartar cannot form.

Good dental care is important to prevent dental problems. If you do not take care of your teeth, your dog or cat can suffer from plaque, tartar, cavities, inflammation and even health problems in other parts of the body. On the basis of the images below you can determine the condition of your pet's teeth.

Healthy teeth contain no deposits and have white teeth and pink gums. The gums have good blood circulation and look healthy.

If there is a yellowish deposit on the teeth and the gums are irritated red, your dog or cat clearly has plaque. Dental plaque is a common condition. It is a fairly soft layer made up of bacteria, calcium and phosphorus. This layer is formed from saliva, food remains and water. Plaque is mainly along the gums, but can also occur in other places. Individual predisposition, age and skull shape determine the formation of dental plaque. Plaque can be removed by careful brushing.

If there is brown deposits on the teeth of your dog or cat and the gums have poor circulation (see picture), we advise you to contact your vet. Your animal then has tartar. Tartar forms when plaque calcifies. Wherever there is plaque, tartar can form. Tartar can no longer be brushed away and will have to be removed under anesthesia at the vet. Dental cleaning can be very expensive.

Dental plaque can also cause caries (cavities), gingivitis (gum inflammation), periodontitis (gum inflammation in which the bone is damaged), inflammation of the buccal mucosa, growths in the mouth and/or tumors. The bacteria that cause these inflammations can also cause problems in other parts of the body if they are ingested. Reason enough to take good care of your teeth!