Brush Up on Pet Dental Care

Oral hygiene is an important part of overall health for dogs and cats. An animal dentistry expert who is also a dog owner explains why.

- SARAH VINCENT

Brushing pets’ teeth is a good idea, but Maria Soltero-Rivera, D.V.M., an assistant professor of veterinary dentistry and oral surgery at UC Davis and founder of The Oral Health Lab, knows it isn’t always easy: Her Chihuahua Olivia sulks for days if Soltero-Rivera tries it. Here, her advice on animal dental care, especially for reluctant pets.

The importance of dental health

Pets explore the world through their mouths, using them to grip things, play, chew and drink. Problems like periodontal disease and fractured teeth can cause pain and tooth loss, not to mention their possible impact on overall health. “The mouth is kind of like a window to the rest of the body,” explains Soltero-Rivera, so it's important to take care of.