Pete the vet With Pete Wedderburn

Have you the time to brush your dog's teeth? WHAT do you think about brushing your dog's teeth? I suspect that many of you see this as over-the-top pampering of rich people's pets in parts of the world where pets have an overblown importance in society. The truth is that if you look at pet health logically, there's no reason why simple dental care should not be a normal, acceptable part of looking after a dog. Here are two important facts. One: if you brush your dog's teeth every day, they'll stay cleaner and healthier for longer. Two: dogs with clean, healthy teeth live for longer than dogs with advanced dental disease. So if you look after your dog's teeth properly, you'll give them a longer, better quality life. Animal's teeth are surprisingly similar to our own. There is a myth that their teeth are somehow 'self-cleaning', but this is not true. If we did not brush our teeth at all, over a period of months and years, our mouths would become increasingly diseased, with rotten teeth and bad breath. If no attention is given to animals' teeth, this is often what happens. In some cases, the build up of infection in the mouth then acts as a focus of disease in the body, which can spread elsewhere, sometimes causing heart and kidney disease in older animals. So what should pet owners do? The practical reality is that we are all living busy lives, and many people find it difficult to find time to ensure that all of the children in the house are brushing their teeth, never mind the pets. Every situation is different, but it would be sensible for all pet owners to think about a dental care strategy for their animals, and this could be broken down into three parts. Firstly, what about self cleaning? Some dogs chew bones, and you can also buy special dental chews, designed to keep your dog's teeth clean. If dogs and cats are fed a dry biscuit diet rather than tins, this can also to clean the teeth. However bones, chews and hard biscuits are still not as good as brushing an animal's teeth. Secondly, do try to do some tooth brushing. Even if a pet's teeth were just brushed three or four times a week â€â€ every second day â€â€ this would have a dramatic effect on dental health. Brushing the teeth takes less than a minute. You can use any tooth brush, although special animal brushes with angled heads and long handles make it easier. Use special pet toothpaste: dogs prefer the taste. Animals need to be trained to accept tooth brushing â€â€ and it is impossible to train some adults. Ideally, you should start with young animals, encouraging them gradually to get used to you giving attention to their mouths and teeth. Third, visit your vet for a dental check up. A quick physical examination will allow your vet to let you know about the current state of your pet's teeth, and give you advice on the best answer for your own particular situation. Surveys of pet dental health have found some shocking facts. Four out of five Irish dogs over the age of three suffer from gum disease, yet 90per cent of owners rate their own dog's teeth as good or perfect. This November has been designated as Pet Dental Care Month 2012: the campaign, which is dedicated to improving the health of dogs' teeth and gums, will offer free oral care check-ups to dogs around the country throughout the month of November: a list of participating vets in this area can be found at www.ie.pedigree.com/dental-care-month.aspx. Our pets don't need to have Hollywood smiles, but a healthier mouth means a happier pet. Isn't that what we all want?