February is National Pet Dental Health Month

Posted on 29 January 2018
By Dr. Jill Tack
Posted in brushing cat teeth, brushing dog teeth, calc flour, cell salts, fennel, healthy pet teeth, herbs, pet dental health, pet teeth, supplements, treats, vitamins, vitamins pet teeth
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We love our pets. That's why we care what we feed them and how we care for them. One important part of caring for our pet's health is sometimes overlooked even though it's right under their nose - their teeth!

Here at The Pet Beastro, we carry a great selection of treats, supplements, and chews that help support your pet's dental health. Combined with brushing, occasional at-home visual checks, and a professional yearly check (or more often if needed), your pet is on the path to keeping their chompers healthy and strong.

Today we want to take a closer look at how supplements can help your pet strengthen their teeth and enamel to avoid what can often result in stressful dental procedures.

But, We DO Brush!

I often hear, “I brush my pet’s teeth but they still look terrible.” Tooth decay and plaque can have several different causes. Persistent inflammation and infection, as well as chemicals in low-grade dry dog food (or other exposure), can result in decay. Overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth can pose its own set of problems. Some animals are just born with a weak vitality or immune system and can produce poorly formed or rotten teeth as they age from lack of minerals. Their body chemistry can also lead to poor enamel quality, causing plaque to sometimes form quickly.

Healthy Mouth

Nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the teeth from a clean, healthy bloodstream to the root of the tooth. It is important to keep your dog or cat's mouth healthy for proper digestion channels. Many times, when teeth are removed, it poses an impingement to an ailment later in life since teeth are directly correlated with the nerves that go to the spinal cord. Each tooth corresponds to a gland, organ, vertebrae, joint, and our senses. Unfortunately, our pets can’t tell us when they don’t feel good and are experiencing aches and pains that could have been a direct result of a tooth being extracted.

Supplements

One of my favorite supplements for tooth or enamel ailments includes tissue salts (also referred to as cell salts). Calc Flour, Calc Phos, Calc Sulph, Ferr Phos, and Kali Phos all have a link to helping the teeth. Following is a list of how each mentioned cell salt can help with tooth issues.

Calc Flour:

Brittle enamel
Enamel is rough and thin
Teeth are loose in the sockets
Teeth are sensitive to touch

Calc Phos:

Decay of teeth as soon as they appear
Gums bleed easily and are pale
Rapid decay of teeth

Calc Sulph:

Ulceration of roots of teeth
Ulceration with swelling gums and cheeks

Ferr Phos:

Inflamed gums and painful
Hot cheeks

Kali Phos:

Gums bleed easily
Bright red gums
Toothache with irritability
Ulcers of the mouth (stomatitis)

Herbs

Fennel is fantastic for wiping on the gums to help with gingivitis issues. Greg Tilford from Animal Essentials recommends fennel for its antibacterial constituents. Symptoms of gingivitis may include bad breath, red or swollen gums, or ulcerated gums most often accompanied by pain. At this time, it would also be recommended to add Echnicea for its immune boosting properties.

Vitamins

Along with using herbs, I would also consider Coenzyme Q10, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C (preferably Ester-C) to support a healthy mouth. Coenzyme Q10 is known to be a potent antioxidant with antibacterial, antitumor, and antiviral properties. It is found in high concentrations naturally in heart meat, mackerel, salmon, and sardines. From personal experience, I have also seen Coenzyme Q10 help with firming up gums where teeth are loose for no reason. Vitamin E is used to improve circulation throughout the body, including to the teeth. It is also a powerful antioxidant and can be found in green leafy vegetables, eggs, and kelp, and interacts nicely with Vitamin C for seeking out toxic-free radicals. Vitamin C is important for the immune system and has a direct effect on bacteria and viruses. It is also efficient at reducing inflammation within the body. Finally, I would strongly consider chlorophyll and alfalfa for their blood cleansing effects. When we have clean, healthy blood transported to our teeth and organs, the additional nutrients and oxygen can be more supportive in quickly excreting toxins instead of recirculating them within the body.

Skip the Toothpaste

My one word of caution, please avoid using human toothpaste for cats and dogs. Two common ingredients, xylitol and fluoride, can be deadly to our pets. With all this being said, there are many wonderful natural supports to encourage a healthy mouth in your dog or cat. Don't just limit it to this month! Wellness is something that happens over time.

Your pet's teeth need love in February, but also all throughout the year! If you're looking for suggestions on what products and practices best support your pet's dental health, stop into The Pet Beastro this month - or anytime - and we'll help guide you!