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I get it. You know that checking their teeth for dental disease is important but there’s no way you’re going to stick your hand inside a mouth packed full of 42 sharp teeth.
But guess what?! You don’t need to. Just use my cheat's way instead…
Those incisions, canines, pre-molars and molars can be intimidating. Plus, most of the furry family don’t like you opening their mouths. Add some questionable breath into the mix and it can feel like you’re taking your life into your own (shaking) hands. Not to mention the potential for looks like below...
But what if you didn’t need to be so daring?!
What if I told you that you really only need to check about half of those?!
And what if I told you that EVERY dog and cat comes ready fitted with their own viewing window that lets you see the important teeth without ever opening their mouth!
Well, it’s the very convenient truth! And thank dog it is!
So here goes...
How to find the viewing window. It’s easier than you might think.
Step 1: Focus your attention on the very corner of their mouth. Basically where the top and bottom lips meet just below their ears. You’ll notice that the lips form a bit of a pouch here.
Step 2: With your index finger on the top part of the pouch and your thumb on the lower part, push the pouch apart. Holding their head still with your other hand can help here.
Step 3: You’ll notice you’ve created a gap. A gap that means you’re now looking directly at your mate’s pre-molar and molar teeth. This is your viewing window to the site of 90% of the serious dental disease your pet’s experience.
Step 4: It’s time to look at the teeth. Are they discoloured? Cracked? Are they coated in brown tartar? These are all signs of dental disease.
Step 5: There’s still time to look at the gums. Use your own gum colour as a handy reference point here. Are they a consistent soft pink colour like your own gums? Or do they have a red line where the gum joins the tooth that indicates your mate’s own immune system is working extra hard to fight off infections. Or are they red and angry all over? Pigmented gums make it harder but not impossible. The redness and inflammation will still be obvious...
The gums are the place those odour producing bacteria (that cause bad breath) find their way into the bloodstream and cause infections in other parts of the body. So gum health is as important as dental health.
You can now close the viewing window for today. And that’s how you check their teeth without opening their mouth. Pretty handy huh?!
If you’ve seen evidence of dental disease there or just want to prevent it from occurring, try my new Drool Teeth + Breath Dental treats. They’re the most complete dental treat out there with 4 active ingredients to not just fight bad breath but also the tartar build-up and gum disease behind it.
