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Many of us with feline and canine friends are positive we’ve seen them smiling. After all, who hasn’t basked in the tooth-filled grin of their delighted dog or the pleased expression of their contented cat?

Animal behaviorists will tell us, though, that our pets actually use many different body cues to signal happiness—and eyes, ears, and tails are better clues as to how happy or unhappy our furry companions are.

But even though animals don’t smile exactly the way we do, they do share some of the same oral concerns as their humans. Since February is Pet Dental Health Month, let’s look at some dental tips to keep your cats and dogs their healthiest and happiest.

Be Aware of Your Pet’s Dental Health Risks

Did you know that tooth and gum health is essential to the well-being of your canine or feline BFF? While cats and dogs don’t suffer from cavities as much as we do, they can suffer oral pain, infection, and trauma without proper dental care.

• Gum Disease

Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in pets. Oral bacteria, food particles, and saliva combine and form plaque deposits which stick to the teeth. Over time, unless it’s removed, this plaque accumulates and hardens into tartar.

When plaque and tartar harden above and below the gumline, pets can develop gum irritation, inflammation, gingivitis, and, eventually, a serious gum disease called periodontitis. Untreated periodontal disease leads to infection, bone and tissue damage, and tooth loss.

• Tooth Resorption

Tooth resorption is another common cause of tooth loss in both cats and dogs. The inside of the tooth structure begins to erode, weakening the tooth and leaving it vulnerable to infection.

The cause of this disease is unknown, but the results can be quite painful and progressive. Your vet can determine which treatments might be effective to save your pet’s tooth or to alleviate pain.

• Trauma

A broken or fractured tooth should be examined by a veterinarian. A root canal, pulp therapy, or extraction might be needed to treat severe pain and infection.

Schedule Regular Exams with Your Vet

Your veterinarian is your partner in keeping four-legged family members healthy. Your dog or cat should see the vet at least once a year for a general checkup. At this time, your vet will look carefully at your pet’s teeth and gums to find any potential oral injuries or diseases.

Regular checkups mean you’ll catch any dental problems before they become more serious. Veterinarians can provide tips on daily dental care, recommend the best diet, suggest hygiene products and toys which promote dental health, and clean and treat your pet’s teeth under anesthesia if needed.

Know When to Call Your Vet

Your pets’ teeth and gums are your best guide to their oral health. If you see any of these symptoms of gum disease or tooth resorption an appointment with the veterinarian is in order:

• unusually unpleasant breath
• brown or yellow stains on the teeth
• swollen or bleeding gums
• pawing at the mouth
• heavy drooling
• loss of appetite

And, of course, If your cat or dog injures a tooth, you should call your vet immediately.

Clean Your Pet’s Teeth

One way to make sure that your pet’s teeth are the healthiest they can be is with brushing and cleaning. This is a project best started when your pet is young and more easily trained.

There are toothbrushes, toothpastes, and dental wipes designed just for your dog and cat (don’t use human products—they can be abrasive and unsafe). Your vet is the best resource for learning how to get your pet used to a toothbrush or finger brush.

If, despite your best efforts, brushing just isn’t going to happen, talk to your vet about anti-plaque additives, rinses, and gels formulated just for your pet.

Watch Your Pet’s Diet

Like us, our cats and dogs benefit from a dental-healthy diet. Different pets have different needs when it comes to the mix of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients required for strong teeth and bones. Some foods are formulated with anti-plaque ingredients. Kibbles and treats are available with coatings designed to help prevent plaque formation.

Your veterinarian can help you discover the best foods for your pet’s needs, whether commercial or prescription.

We all love healthy smiles. Protect your dog’s fetching grin or your cat’s purr-fect gums in Boca Raton by making their oral health a pet project all year long.

It’s the littlest month of the year, so what better time to think about the dental health of our littlest family members? February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and we’re here to suggest some of the best dental habits for healthy childhood smiles.

Babies 

• Even before your baby cuts her first adorable tooth, you can start proactive dental care by gently wiping little gums with a clean, moist gauze pad or soft cloth twice a day. This removes bacteria and food particles and helps prepare your baby for brushing.
• When that first tooth does appear, or by age one if it hasn’t yet erupted, it’s time to schedule a visit to the dentist. At this first visit, your child’s dentist will check jaw and tooth development and can give expert guidance on teething, brushing, how much and which kind of toothpaste to use, and topics like thumb-sucking and pacifier use.
• When baby teeth arrive, use a small soft-bristled toothbrush designed to fit comfortably in tiny mouths.
• Use toothpaste as recommended. Children under the age of three who use paste should use a very small amount, no larger than a grain of rice.
• Prevent “baby bottle tooth decay”—don’t put your baby to bed with a bottle. This allows the sugars in formula or, when your child is 12 months or older, milk, to bathe the teeth throughout the night. And babies and toddlers never need sugary juices or sodas in those bottles!

Toddlers 

• Help your child develop a positive relationship with his dental team. Read books or watch videos to help your child learn what to expect. Practice with him by having him open his mouth while you count his teeth. Plan visits when your child isn’t hungry or tired. Be positive yourself—your child will take his cues from you!
• Schedule regular appointments for exams and cleanings. Your child’s dentist will check tooth and jaw development, look for any signs of decay, and evaluate potential problems such as prolonged thumb sucking or pacifier use. 
• By age three, children have most or all of their baby teeth. Use a soft bristled brush to clean your child’s teeth twice each day. As she grows, demonstrate how to brush properly. Your dentist and hygienist will have some great ideas on technique!
• Daily flossing should begin as soon as your child has two teeth which touch. 
• Around age six, your child may be transitioning to solo brushing and flossing—but your oversight is still needed. Make sure all the surfaces of the teeth, including the tops of new molars, are brushed thoroughly. You might provide a timer or a two-minute song or video to make sure your child spends enough time brushing. Flossing can be tricky for young hands, so you’ll need to help with that task for a few years more.

School-Aged Children

• Orthodontists and dentists recommend a first visit to the orthodontist by age seven, or earlier if you notice your child has trouble chewing or biting, if the teeth don’t seem to fit together properly, or if you have any concerns about bite and alignment. When potential problems are discovered right away, early intervention can prevent more serious orthodontic issues from developing later. The team at Burke Orthodontics in Frankfort, IL is happy to answer any questions you might have about early interventions!
• If your child is beginning orthodontic treatment, you can help make the journey easier: 
  • Keep up with appointments and adjustments—missed appointments can delay your child’s progress. 
  • Braces can make brushing and flossing more difficult, so try special brushes and floss designed just for braces. 
  • If needed, remind your child to wear bands or aligners for the recommended number of hours each day. 
  • Be encouraging! Remind your child that these months in braces or aligners will lead to years of healthy, attractive smiles.
• Talk to your dentist about sealants. Permanent molars usually erupt between the ages of six and 12. Sealants are thin coatings which protect the chewing surfaces of these molars from food particles and cavity-causing bacteria which would otherwise collect inside grooves in the enamel.
• Children who play sports and engage in activities with a chance of physical contact should have a well-fitted mouthguard to protect their teeth. Be ready to replace it as often as recommended by John Burke or if it’s damaged.
• Increases in hormones during puberty can lead to puberty gingivitis, and swollen, red, and bleeding gums can be the result. Proactive dental hygiene will prevent gum disease from developing. Make sure your child brushes two minutes, twice a day, and flosses once per day. If symptoms persist, it’s time to see the dentist.
• A nutritious diet is essential for healthy teeth and gums. Give your child solid nutritional building blocks with a diet rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals. If your child wears braces, have a variety of appealing, braces-friendly foods on hand. 

Help your child enjoy a future of healthy, confident smiles by working in partnership with your child’s dentist and the orthodontic team at Burke Orthodontics. They are ready every month of the year with advice and expertise to make that healthy dental future a reality!

Sherlock Holmes, that most famous of fictional detectives, observed clues, analyzed them, and used his powers of deduction to arrive at the solution to his cases.

Dr. Tavory and our team are skilled in deduction as well! By examining your teeth and gums during your regular checkup, important clues can be discovered about your dental health—and perhaps your overall health as well. What might be deduced when you come in for an exam?

• You Haven’t Been Flossing

Even with some last-minute catchup flossing, it’s not hard to tell if you’ve been regularly skipping the flossing portion of your daily dental care. Plaque that your toothbrush just can’t reach on its own will be noticeable between your teeth and around the gum line. Your gums might be inflamed, swollen or bleeding—early signs of the gum disease plaque causes when it’s not removed with careful flossing.

These symptoms could arise because you’re neglecting to floss at least once a day, or it could be that your flossing skills could simply use some fine-tuning. A refresher in flossing technique takes no time at all. Or, you might discuss whether a water flosser would be a good investment for healthier teeth and gums if, for any reason, you have difficulty flossing effectively.

• You Haven’t Been Sleeping Well

Even if your roommate or partner hasn’t told you that your teeth and jaws have been grinding away while you were not-so-soundly asleep, your dentist might be able to. Shorter, flattened teeth are a common symptom of bruxism, or tooth grinding. Your exam might reveal cracked enamel or broken cusps caused by the force you’re placing on them at night. This condition can also lead to larger jaw muscles and jaw pain.

Since these symptoms are also caused by sleep apnea, it’s a very good idea to find out what’s causing this dental stress. Treatments are available to make your sleep safer for your teeth and jaws—and more restful and healthier for you!

• You Should Talk to Your Doctor

Conditions that seem to have nothing to do with your oral health can cause dental symptoms, alerting your dentist to a medical condition which you might not be aware of. Pale gums or a swollen tongue could be symptoms of anemia. Erosion on the inside of the teeth can be caused by GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to ulcers, loose teeth, and gum disease.

 If Dr. Tavory and our team suggest that you make an appointment with your doctor to find the medical cause of your dental symptoms, it’s essential to follow up.

• Are You Left-Handed?

So, getting back to our original question, can your dentist deduce that you’re left-handed?

Probably not! It’s been suggested that left-handed people brush their teeth more firmly on the left side, and right-handed people brush harder on the right. And it’s also been suggested that left-handers don’t brush the left side of the mouth as thoroughly, while right-handers neglect their dominant side.

But Dr. Tavory can still tell you some important facts about your hand-brush coordination just by observing the state of your enamel. If you’re brushing too firmly, your tooth surfaces could show erosion and wear. A soft-bristled brush and a lighter hand will get your teeth just as clean without the abrasion.

If you’re having trouble reaching areas because of dexterity issues, Dr. Tavory can point out the areas where plaque buildup reveals the spots you need to concentrate on. An electric toothbrush might be just the answer to making all the surfaces of your teeth equally accessible.

A dentist is an expert in observing, analyzing, and solving dental problems. When you keep to a regular schedule of exams and cleanings at our Boca Raton dental office, you’ll benefit from that expertise to discover oral health issues before they become more serious. That’s an easy and elegant solution to maintaining your dental health. In fact, it’s elementary!

Our team at Burke Orthodontics knows that there are many ways you can protect your pearly whites throughout your orthodontic treatment. If you follow the rules and brush your teeth twice a day, floss often, and protect your appliances from damage, you should have a successful treatment.

But did you know there’s another way to keep your teeth sparkling and healthy during your time wearing braces?

Fluoride, the mineral that helps you prevent cavities and tooth decay, can also help keep your teeth strong. Fluoride comes in two varieties: topical and systemic. Depending on your oral health or the recommendation of John Burke, you may be required to have a fluoride treatment every three, six, or 12 months. We may also prescribe a fluoride product such as a mouthwash, gel, or antibacterial rinse for at-home treatment to keep your teeth happy in between visits.

If you have any other questions about fluoride or your treatment, please don’t hesitate to give us a call!