Fishers Veterinary Associates


	Approximately 85% of our patients 4 years and older have some form of dental disease. Good oral health has been associated with good overall health in humans as well as in our pets. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends routine dental prophylaxis as frequently for pets as the American Dental Society recommends for people, every 6 months. Thorough at home oral care can significantly increase the length of time between dental prophylaxis for our pets. There are various products available for at home use. Any product you choose should have the acceptance seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Care should be performed on a daily basis for the maximum benefit from most products. Using pet approved toothpaste with a toothbrush or fingerbrush is the number one recommendation. DO NOT use a human toothpaste or baking soda as your pet cannot "rinse & spit," and these products can be harmful if swallowed. Concentrate on brushing the cheek side of the teeth using care to reach back to the molars. Your pet's rough tongue and residue from the toothpaste will take care of the insides of their teeth. Start slowly and increase brushing time to 30 seconds per area. The entire process should take less than 5 minutes and should be done regularly with pets 6 months of age and older. Not every pet will tolerate the use of a toothbrush with paste. Other options include oral rinses or sprays, oral diets (such as Hill's Prescription Diet® T/D), or dental treats (such as C.E.T.® cat treats or rawhides). Always use caution with rawhides as some dogs have stomach issues with rawhides. Never substitute with cow hooves as they can break teeth and damage the tooth enamel. Pig ears should also be avoided as most dogs cannot tolerate the high fat content. OraVet® Sealant is applied on a weekly basis and can be started 2 weeks after a prophylaxis during which an initial sealant was applied. At home dental care is not an alternative to dental prophylaxis. Pets do require general anesthesia for prophylaxis during which their teeth are scaled and polished much like your dentist cares for your teeth. If your pet already has advanced periodontal disease, our hospital offers dental x-rays to assess damage below the gumline and aid in tooth salvage recommendations, if applicable. Our staff would be happy to assist you with any questions you might have regarding your pets' dental care.

Approximately 85% of our patients 4 years and older have some form of dental disease. Good oral health has been associated with good overall health in humans as well as in our pets. The American Veterinary Dental Society recommends routine dental prophylaxis as frequently for pets as the American Dental Society recommends for people, every 6 months. Thorough at home oral care can significantly increase the length of time between dental prophylaxis for our pets.

There are various products available for at home use. Any product you choose should have the acceptance seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC). Care should be performed on a daily basis for the maximum benefit from most products.

Using pet approved toothpaste with a toothbrush or fingerbrush is the number one recommendation. DO NOT use a human toothpaste or baking soda as your pet cannot "rinse & spit," and these products can be harmful if swallowed. Concentrate on brushing the cheek side of the teeth using care to reach back to the molars. Your pet's rough tongue and residue from the toothpaste will take care of the insides of their teeth. Start slowly and increase brushing time to 30 seconds per area. The entire process should take less than 5 minutes and should be done regularly with pets 6 months of age and older.

Not every pet will tolerate the use of a toothbrush with paste. Other options include oral rinses or sprays, oral diets (such as Hill's Prescription Diet® T/D), or dental treats (such as C.E.T.® cat treats or rawhides). Always use caution with rawhides as some dogs have stomach issues with rawhides. Never substitute with cow hooves as they can break teeth and damage the tooth enamel. Pig ears should also be avoided as most dogs cannot tolerate the high fat content. OraVet® Sealant is applied on a weekly basis and can be started 2 weeks after a prophylaxis during which an initial sealant was applied.

At home dental care is not an alternative to dental prophylaxis. Pets do require general anesthesia for prophylaxis during which their teeth are scaled and polished much like your dentist cares for your teeth. If your pet already has advanced periodontal disease, our hospital offers dental x-rays to assess damage below the gumline and aid in tooth salvage recommendations, if applicable. Our staff would be happy to assist you with any questions you might have regarding your pets' dental care.