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As the cold weather settles in, it’s easy to focus on keeping your pets warm and comfortable inside. But there’s something many of us overlook during these chillier months, and it’s pet dental care.
Just like in humans, your pet’s oral health contributes to his overall well-being, and the colder months can mean an increase in dental health issues. The team at True Care Veterinary Hospital wants to show you why it’s so important to maintain your pet’s dental health in the winter months.
1. Cold Weather’s Impact on Oral Health
During the cold months, your pet’s body works harder to stay warm, which can impact her immune system. If your pet is already dealing with things like plaque, tartar, or gum disease, a weakened immune system can make these problems worse.
And unfortunately, bacterial infections in the mouth can easily spread to other parts of the body—including the heart, kidneys, and other organs.
Keeping your pet’s teeth brushed and clean goes a long way toward avoiding these cold-weather dental issues. We know, we know, brushing your pet’s teeth isn’t exactly pleasant for either of you. But neither is dealing with all the complications of gum disease! Use a meat-flavored, pet-friendly toothpaste to make the task tastier for your pet—and easier for you.
2. Dry Air and Oral Hygiene
With cold weather comes lots of heater use, whether you’ve got central heating, a wood-burning stove, or space heaters. As important as heat is, it can make the air in your home so dry that your skin cracks. Your pet’s skin and teeth are just as susceptible to this wear and tear.
Dry air can also lead to dehydration—and a dry mouth for your pet. A dry mouth means less saliva. Less saliva means there’s less good, slimy stuff to wash away food particles and bacteria from your pet’s mouth. And this increases the risk of plaque buildup and gum disease.
It’s a lot of dominos, we know. The good news is there’s a simple way to avoid these problems:
- Make sure your pet always has fresh water
- Run a humidifier to offset the dryness
That’s all there is to it!
3. Regular Dental Check-Ups Are Important
It’s important to schedule regular wellness check-ups with your veterinarian during the winter months. Your veterinarian will check your pet’s teeth during these visits, which is important—especially if you have a senior or geriatric pet with aging teeth and a history of oral health problems.
From there, your vet can recommend a full dental exam and cleaning if needed. We recommend most pets get a full oral health exam and cleaning once a year, so if it’s been a while since your pet’s last exam, it may be time to schedule one.
Since most of us are less busy during winter months, it’s the perfect time to schedule a thorough oral exam, which involves anesthesia and can make your pet drowsy for a little while after the procedure. (Bring on the cozy winter naps, right?)
During the exam, your veterinarian can make sure the cold weather isn’t exacerbating any underlying dental problems. And if there are issues, your veterinarian can treat them right then and there.
Protecting Dental Pet Health in the Cold
If you’re worried about your pet’s teeth or want to schedule a full dental exam and cleaning, schedule an appointment with our dedicated team at True Care Veterinary Hospital. We love giving your pet the best oral health she could ask for!