Did you know that dental care is just as important for your dog as it is for us human beings? Just like with our teeth, your dogs’ teeth can gather plaque during eating. This plaque can then build up and harden which then becomes known as a brown substance called tartar.
Then as this tartar accumulates it will work its way beneath the dog’s gums and become the reason behind painful infections and gum disease. This process occurs in the mouths of dogs, and is no different to what occurs in people. You no doubt brush your teeth on a regular basis, but think about your poor dog for a moment. What can he/she do?
The Veterinary world says that dog owners should brush their dog’s teeth twice a week to stop the accumulation of tartar. Well, I honestly don’t know any owners who take the trouble to do this. Hopefully you do. A lot of pet shops stock toothbrushes and toothpaste especially for dogs. You need to know that a dog’s sense of taste is a lot more sensitive than that of us humans and the minty, tingly, sort of toothpastes that we use will be pretty unpleasant to a dog. So just make sure you use the proper doggie toothpaste.
It is fortunate that dog’s have a natural tendency to chew and this acts as a dental care mechanism. Dogs crunch biscuits into small pieces when chewing and these rub against their teeth, providing a cleaning function. This is no substitute for brushing, but if you can’t manage that, just try to ensure he/she regularly gets some type of crunchy dog biscuit.
Any dogs that do not get the correct dental care and do not have access to good teeth cleaning foods run the risk of different types of mouth disease. These can be mild like gingivitis or a rather more serious type of infection that can get into the dog’s bloodstream and damage vital organs.
Dental services are readily available for dogs. A dog’s teeth can be capped, filled, and extracted if required, just like a human beings. Of course the best way is to avoid the need for these services by looking after your dog’s teeth. Preventative dental care for your dog can save you money as well. Dog dental care can unfortunately be quite costly, but then it’s less painful than toothache.
Written: Oct 29, 2008
October 29th, 2008 at 3:31 am
How would you get free dental care through your state?
I am in dire need of a dentist and I really can not afford one. I live with my boyfriend and do not work. I watch our daughter and his older daughter from another relationship. I know if him and I were married it would be done and over with but that is not an option right now. Please let me know if there is anyway for this to happen.
October 29th, 2008 at 8:33 am
There was an obscure event a a few months back, possibly in PA. There was free dental care provided to anyone who came. It was like WWI, tents in a field. People came from all over the country, like a Grateful Dead event. Less than half actually got care and there were stories of people begging to have all their teeth pulled because they would never have the money to treat them.
It's a huge problem and I'm sorry. Just like with medical care, you have to find a way. Go to a dental school and find a private practice that will offer you financing.
In the world we are living in, you and your family need to be insured. This is exactly why.
Lonf story short, the state does not provide you with dental coverage unless you work for them.
References :
6 years dental assistant
October 29th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Here, where I am, certain health centers offer dental services. You can’t be on insurance of any sort, including medicare/medicaid. But they offer the services for free.
For those who are on Medicare/Medicaid, there are dental offices that accept that type of insurance.
There are also community services offered. I recently learned that there is a church in my area that offers free services such as dental, a pharmacy, eye exams, etc all in the church there. It’s something they offer once a month, I think, and they only accept 20 people each time.
Not all of these services may be available in your area, but services like that aren’t advertised much, you have to do your research.
Good luck!
References :
October 29th, 2008 at 8:37 am
Without your location it is hard to tell. Many states/counties/cities offer programs that help out people who cannot afford dental care. I am a dentist who works for a public health center and we offer low cost dental care for people. The price you pay is dependent on your household income. Most pay only 10% of the actual cost with a minimum fee of $20. The same community that the my center is located has a program where local dentists donate their services to those without insurance and considered to be below poverty. Again this is only my area. There are health centers all over the US (assuming you are from there) that have similar programs…you just need to find them.
Below is a link:
http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
If there are no centers close, your next best option would be a dental school.
References :
DDS (Public health experience0