Feature Article
Avoid the pain by preventing oral disease
As humans, we know how important it is to brush our teeth every morning and night. However if you're a pet owner, your teeth aren't the only ones that need brushing, dogs and cats also need to have healthy and clean teeth. If their teeth and gums aren't clean it can be very painful for them and in some cases fatal.
At some stage in their life, between 60% and 80% of dogs and cats are affected by periodontal disease. Periodontal disease describes a number of inflammatory reactions associated with oral pain, tooth loss and potentially disease in remote body organs which can lead to death.
Oral disease is divided into 2 stages, gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums which is caused by the accumulation of plaque on the teeth. Plaque then forms into calculus, a rough surface on which more plaque can further accumulate. At this stage periodontal disease can be avoided if all plaque and calculus is removed. If it is not removed then the disease may progress to periodontitis, the irreversible stage of the disease process. Ultimately, the supporting tissue destructs and eventual tooth loss occurs.
However all oral disease can be avoided by simply feeding your pet a premium health food solution which has been specially designed with a dental kibble. OPTIMUM®
understands this which is why OPTIMUM® Oral Care ensures your pet is getting the correct oral care it needs. OPTIMUM Oral Care has been specially designed to help reduce the build up of plaque and tartar, promoting healthy teeth and gums.
The mechanical action of chewing the specially shaped kibble, along with the active ingredient (sodium
tripolyphosphate) promotes good oral hygiene.
Sodium tripolyphosphate is a mineral based ingredient that binds the calcium present in saliva and reduces the formation of tartar on the tooth surface. The calcium is then carried to the stomach for digestion. The inclusion of zinc in OPTIMUM Oral Care for dogs helps to combat bad breath by bonding with the volatile sulphur
compounds associated with malodour.
There are a few indications that your pet may be suffering from a dental disease including bad breath, loose or discoloured teeth, drooling or dropping food from the mouth, tenderness around the mouth area, bleeding from the mouth and loss of appetite or weight. If your pet is suffering from any of these symptoms it is essential that you take it to the vet.
It's up to you to make sure your pet has clean and healthy teeth. Feed your cat or dog a premium pet food solution with a dental kibble such as OPTIMUM® Oral Care for cats and OPTIMUM® Oral Care for dogs, check it's oral health regularly for signs of periodontal disease and visit your vet regularly for check ups. Knowing your pet has clean and healthy teeth will give you both a reason to smile.
To find out more about OPTIMUM Oral Care visit Health Benefits.
