April 08, 2004

By: Emma Wheyler
Website: http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com

Pet Dental Health – Company Promotes Animal Dentistry

Routine dental care is as important for pets as it is for their owners. February is National Pet Dental Health Month and Shure Pets, The Premier Direct Seller of Pet Products, is offering a special promotion to get Brilliance Pet Toothpaste FREE with a $50 purchase. In addition, Shure Pets is pleased to offer guidelines for brushing your dog’s teeth.

Shure Pets, The Premier Direct Seller of Pet Products, offers a wide variety of products and accessories for pets and pet lovers. Each Pet Consultant is truly knowledgeable, is passionate about animals, and serves as a mentor to customers and other Pet Consultants on his/her team. In many cases, Pet Consultants are able to supplement their income by selling products to pet lovers they encounter on a daily basis.

According to the January 2004 issue of Pet Product News, only one percent of pet owners brush their animal’s teeth. The American National Pet Owners Survey states that only 15 percent of pet owners actually buy toothpaste for dogs. Lastly, according to the American Medical Association, 85% of dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal disease, which can lead to tooth loss or to bacteria from the teeth/gums traveling through the bloodstream to major organs and causing infections.

During February 2004, Shure Pets is striving to educate its Pet Consultants, customers, and pet lovers across the country about the importance of good pet dental hygiene. They are also pleased to offer a FREE tube of Shure Pets Brilliance Toothpaste with every order of $50 or more placed throughout the month. Pet Dental Health is very important, and neglected by many pet owners, said Andrew Shure, Shure Pets founder. It’s amazing to me that most pet owners ensure their pets have proper vaccinations, are groomed regularly, and have no fleas or ticks, but still ignore their pet’s dental needs. Ihope to help educate pet lovers about the importance of pet dental health.

Shure Pets Brilliance Pet Toothpaste is specifically formulated for pets and helps clean teeth, control tartar, and deliver clean, minty-fresh breath. Brilliance Pet Toothpaste contains Coenzyme Q10, a natural-like substance found in humans and animals. It acts as an antioxidant and helps aid cells with the energy needed to reproduce.

Dog/Cat Dental Facts:

• • Puppies have 28 temporary teeth that erupt between three and four weeks of age. They have 42 permanent teeth (20 upper and 22 lower) that begin to emerge around four months.
• • Symptoms of gum disease in dogs include yellow and brown build-up of tartar along the gum line, reluctance to eat or play with toys, inflamed gums, and persistent bad breath.
• • Broken teeth are a common problem, especially among outdoor dogs. According to veterinary dental experts, aggressive chewing on hard objects is one of the leading causes of this problem.
• • Kittens have 26 temporary teeth that begin to erupt around two-to-three weeks of age. Kittens have 30 permanent teeth (15 upper and 14 lower) that erupt around three-to-four months.

Brushing A Dog’s Teeth: An absence of brushing can lead to plaque and tartar buildup, periodontal disease and possible tooth loss. Dry dog food assists in cleaning your pet’s teeth, but does not clean teeth at the gum line (which is the source of most dental problems).

Step 1: Select an appropriate time. Find a quiet, convenient time when you and your dog are both relaxed.

Step 2: Acquaint your dog with the process. Proceed slowly when first beginning your home dental care program. Squeeze a small amount of Brilliance Pet Toothpaste on your finger and allow your pet to taste it. As soon as your dog accepts it, apply the toothpaste to your finger or a pet toothbrush.

Step 3: To operate a toothbrush, hold one side of you pet’s mouth open, and gently brush your pet’s teeth and gums, using short back and forth strokes. Make sure you clean along the gum line. Rinse toothbrush or wash hands after each use. Try to clean your pet’s teeth and gums as least once a day, and preferably after food intake.

Step 4: Stop brushing when you decide to stop, before your dog begins to fuss. If your dog learns to dislike the procedure and recognizes that more fussing makes you stop brushing quicker, brushing is going to get harder instead of easier. Praise your dog afterwards. She will soon start to look forward to tooth brushing and it will become a pleasant activity for both of you.

The good news is that if you take proactive steps in your pet’s dental hygiene now, you’ll be able prevent further damage and save as many teeth as possible, said Shure.

Author Notes:

Emma Wheyler contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.teeth-whitening-smiles.com.  Everything you need to know to get a whiter, brighter smile!