You probably know that February is the designated month for your pet’s dental health. Most veterinarian offices offer discounts during February to encourage pet parents to take advantage of this important service.

But, what do you really need to do when it comes to your pet’s dental health and why?

First, you can take a quiz to find out how much you do, or don’t, know about your pet’s dental health by clicking here.

How did you do? Any surprises?

Things to watch out for that might be indicators of periodontal disease in your pet include:

Unusually foul breath
Excessive Drooling
Loose Teeth
Inflamed Gums

Why does it matter? According to Dr. Bert Dodd, clinical professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, in an interview in moderndog magazine, dental health is more than just about the condition of the teeth. He states that a pet’s overall “health can be affected by oral disease, which can get into the blood stream and affect the animal’s internal organs and joints.”

So, if you aren’t currently bushing your pet’s teeth, there is no time like the present to learn how. You can either have your veterinarian teach you or you can watch the following video presented by the American Veterinarian Medical Association.

Wanna see how the experts do it? Watch this video from the AVMA: https://youtu.be/wB3GIAgrTPE.

While some clinics recommend yearly cleanings, I personally think that you should make that determination based on the age of your pet and the condition of your pet’s teeth. There is a small risk, as with humans, when putting a pet under anesthesia. And it should always be made in consultation with the doctor you see regularly.