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Cheese! Want to know what your vet really looks at during that check-up? Well, when it comes to their teeth, there's one sign I always focus on way more than even bad breath. And you can check it yourself at home...
Here's how...
Just a warning, once you see it, you’ll wonder how you missed it. I mean, it’s literally a red warning light. But it's something that always gets your vet's attention...
The sign?
Introducing the Thin Red Line.
Take a look inside your dog or cat’s mouth next time they’re smiling, panting or maybe even sleeping. Focus on the bigger teeth on the side of their mouth and try to spot a thin red line (TRL) along the gums just above the teeth. Here's what I mean...
The TRL in dogs:
And in cats:
So what does the Thin Red Line mean?
It's actually a battle line between the good - their immune system - and the evil - the millions of bacteria sitting on their teeth trying to invade into their body.
Why is it red?
It’s red because of all the bacteria seeking blood cells that are being sent there to fight. And it’s a battle that’s an important one to win.
After all, those bad bacteria found in plaque can find their way into the heart, kidneys and liver if they do break through that thin red line with heart disease, kidney and liver infections the result.
So what can you do?
Well, neutralising those mouth bacteria with brushing works for us. And for dogs and cats, it's the same idea...but easier. Rather than wrestling with brushing (which they hate), I find that giving them a dental treat straight after meals works a lot better.
It becomes a full mouth clean if you can find a treat that can both neutralise those bacteria AND prevent tartar from then forming...
What are the mouth bacteria feeding on?
It starts with left over food particles that stick to the teeth. But if they can get inside those gums, then it's the rotting tissue there instead. That's where the really bad breath comes from.
The solution?
Helping to solve this mouth bacteria explosion and tartar buildup is exactly why I created my Teeth + Breath treats . And because the four active ingredients are absorbed from their stomach and end up in their saliva, it doesn't matter how much they chew them. In fact, the effect actually lasts and reduces tartar levels over time. Just like the tastiest toothpaste you can imagine. Easy.
