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The following has been put together by the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), together with the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hills Pet Foods, with a few of our own notations in brackets [ ]:

Thousands upon thousands of loving pet owners take their pets for regular checkups at the veterinarian. After this annual routine, many feel they have provided the most complete care for their pets. But studies in recent years indicate this is not enough.

Veterinarians have learned that regular dental care is vitally important in ensuring pets' overall health. A mouth full of bacteria can cause serious health problems for pets in addition to tooth loss or painful gum disease, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society.

"Oral infections, if left untreated, may infect other organs such as the heart, liver or kidneys," said Dr. Ellen Logan, president of the AVDS and a senior scientist of oral care with Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc. "Periodontal disease may cause bacteria and toxins to enter the bloodstream, carrying the infection to other parts of the animal's body"

The need for education is great. Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. An astounding 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3.

That's why local veterinarians are an integral part of the pet dental health campaign. They play a key role in educating pet owners about the risks their pets face if oral care is not a priority. The growth of bacteria in a dog's or cat's mouth or on the teeth may lead to the formation of plaque and tartar. [Plaque takes about 48 hours to harden into tartar.] Plaque and tartar buildup then have the potential to cause periodontal infections that can spread to other organs.

The following steps suggested by veterinarians can put a bite into potential health problems;

• Take your pet to your veterinarian for a dental exam. Don't wait for his annual checkup if you suspect a problem.
  
• Begin a dental care regimen at home. Your veterinarian can suggest steps that may include brushing your pet's teeth. [Brushing needs to be done every day or two to prevent plaque from hardening into tartar.] One of the most convenient and effective ways to combat oral disease is feeding specially formulated foods [and treats] proven effective in removing plaque and tartar buildup. The Seal of Acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council, an organization initiated by members of the American Veterinary Dental Society to guide consumers, appears on products that meet defined standards for plaque and tartar control in dogs and cats.
  
• Schedule regular veterinary dental checkup. These are essential in helping your veterinarian monitor the progress of your pet s dental health routine.
  

Please, take pet dental care to heart. It's one way to ensure good health and vitality for your best friend.

At the Andover Animal Hospital, we also take dental disease very seriously.

As is usually the case, it is better to prevent problems than to fix them after. Tooth brushing is easiest to establish with puppies and kittens when you first get them, but can be accomplished with time and patience in older animals. Specially designed foods fed routinely will help, but as far as we know, they are equivalent to brushing your pets teeth once weekly. Your mouth wouldn't do well brushing once per week, and neither will theirs but it's better than not at all!

Dental cleaning can not be done effectively without anesthesia (animals won't let you get down under the gumline which is the most critical area to get at)! If your animal appears otherwise healthy, and especially if a Pre-Anesthesia blood screen looks OK, then the long term risks of periodontal disease and related body infections outweighs the short term risks with general anesthesia -- eventhough anesthesia consequences can be severe, they are quite rare.

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