Bienvenidos to my monthly column! I am super excited this time around, because this column marks my one year anniversary of contributing to Dallas Voice as a writer! It has been such an honor to be a part of this amazing publication, and I look forward to continuing to be a part of it and, hopefully, continuing to change lives.

As some of you may know, February is National Pet Dental Health Month. Dental disease is one of the most common diseases in dogs and cats. In fact, it is so common that it is rare to see an adult dog or cat that does not have any signs of dental disease.

Dental disease includes much more than just tartar and gingivitis. With dental disease, you can also have evidence of bad breath, bone loss, tooth root exposure, abscesses, oral pain and teeth mobility among other issues.

The most important thing we can do as pet parents is to aid in preventing dental disease, and the gold standard prevention will continue to be brushing our babies’ teeth. I do realize this is easier said than done, but I promise that if you approach it little by little, it can be done!

First of all, I recommend visiting the Veterinary Oral Health Council’s website (VOHC.org). This is the veterinary version of the American Dental Association, and this website offers a list of products approved for oral care for dogs and cats. Choose a toothpaste and toothbrush from the VOHC list and start by offering just a small portion of toothpaste as a treat every day. Once your baby likes the taste of it, start touching a few of their teeth with the toothpaste on your finger once daily for about a week or so. Slowly continue to touch more and more teeth until you can touch almost all teeth without a fight. Once you’ve reached this point, then incorporate the toothbrush. Make sure to remember that you do not have to open their mouths at all, as the insides of their teeth don’t need to be brushed; only the outside of their teeth needs to be brushed. But do brush all the way to the back of their mouths. Make sure to take it slow and associate this with a good experience, as we want this to be a lifelong addition to the care and well being of our dogs and cats.

Now let us be realistic (LOL): Even when you use this approach, many dogs and cats will never let you do anything to their teeth. The good thing about toothpastes for dogs and cats is that they have enzymes that help break down the plaque, so even if you cannot brush their teeth, the toothpaste will still help break down some of the plaque. You can also give them dental treats to help with their oral health, and the VOHC website has a good list of the best products you can use.

Once they have tartar accumulated on their teeth, only an actual dental cleaning can get rid of that. These cleanings are usually performed once yearly and under anesthesia, as the pet needs to be still in order for a proper cleaning to be performed. Some dogs and cats, however, may need dental cleanings more or less frequently. These decisions can be made and addressed when your veterinarian performs an oral exam, and, as a veterinarian, I make sure I have a detailed conversation with my clients, setting expectations and talking about options.

Our more mature babies can be fragile and we need to be cautious about these procedures, but it all starts with just a simple dental exam and a thorough conversation.

If you have a veterinary hospital for your baby, ask for a dental exam, and, if they recommend a dental cleaning, feel free to ask if they have any offer for the month of February. If you do not have a veterinarian or want to visit me in Addison, I will perform a thorough exam on your baby and share the details with you. I will also take my time to make sure all of your questions are addressed.

During the month of February, my hospital is offering a $50 discount on the dental cleaning fee. We hope you will be able to visit us and have us help you in taking care of your baby’s oral health.

I am so thankful to be able to share these columns with you, and I am truly looking forward to my continued collaboration with Dallas Voice. Until the next time, abrazos and stay safe!

Dr. Josh owns Isla Veterinary Boutique Hospital at 14380 Marsh Lane, Ste. 110 in Addison (next to Tom Thumb). Contact them at 972-738-1111 or visit IslaVet.com.