Dorwest Teeth

Healthy Teeth and Dental Hygiene for Dogs and Cats
by Mary Boughton of Dorwest Herbs
Member of the British Herbal Medicine Association Veterinary Committee
Vice-chairman of the National Office of Animal Health's Companion Animal Sub-group
Re-Printed With Permission

Good dental hygiene is extremely important to the health of your dog or cat. The soft foods that are more often fed to animals these days tend not to provide the abrasive action necessary to keep the teeth clean and the gums as healthy as they should be. Raw meat diets are always the recommended foods for natural teeth but in this context are especially useful as the raw meat contains enzymes which help to keep the teeth clean. Dogs and cats kept on these natural diets will usually suffer less from teeth problems and have whiter, healthier teeth. Giving dogs raw marrowbones to chew intermittently will keep them happy and benefit their teeth too, but remember never to give cooked bones.

Gingivitis is a condition mainly seen in cats and the smaller breeds of dog. It is a minor infection of the gums with chronic inflammation which can result in the removal of teeth in extreme cases. It may be necessary for the veterinary surgeon to de-scale the teeth to remove any tartar that has built up and following this a good dental hygiene regime should be implemented. Regular, preferably weekly, cleaning of the teeth should be carried out to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Use a toothpaste that is especially formulated for veterinary use, being slightly more abrasive than ordinary toothpaste- more like the paste your dentist uses. Animals are not very keen on having anything that froths in their mouth, so Dorwst's Roast Dinner Veterinary Toothpaste has been formulated to be low-foaming to cause less stress to the animal and has a meaty flavor to make it more acceptable and so help to turn the whole dental experience into a pleasure for both animal and owner.

If the infection is acute or severe antibiotics may be required, but afterwards it is helpful to give Dorwest's Garlic and Fenugreek tablets which are a licensed herbal medicine for the treatment of minor infections. These will not only treat but help to prevent recurrence in animals who are susceptible to this condition. Gingivitis may occur as a consequence of a more serious condition and, therefore, if it persists or becomes acute it is essential to consult your veterinarian for advice.

Tartar is the hard, chalky deposit that forms on the teeth which can not only become unsightly but enables bacteria to multiply and infect the gums and teeth, leading to bad breath, receding gums, loose teeth and sometimes more serious problems. Recently the homeopathic remedy, Fragaria 3C has received a lot of publicity and has proved very effective in both reducing and preventing tartar build up on the teeth. It is made from a mother tincture of the fruit and root of Wood Strawberry. It has a treatment and a preventative role to play in dental health as results indicate that it both helps tartar removal and prevents future build up. For animals with tartar build up on the teeth it can be given on a daily basis, usually for about one month, to soften the tartar on encrusted teeth and so make it easier to remove. Giving a marrowbone for a dog to chew will help to remove the softened deposits. Afterwards giving just one pillule of  Fragaria 3C once a week will prevent the formation of further deposits and so is ideal following de-scaling to prevent the build up of new tartar. This will not only improve the appearance of the teeth but also cause less stress for you dog or cat by making the weekly teeth brushing sessions less arduous and the teeth quicker and easier to clean. Nevertheless, regular brushing is the basis of good dental hygiene but, if you are concerned about your dog or cat's teeth at any time, you should consult your veterinarian.