One of the most stereotypical bits of information we hear about a dog’s mouth is that it is cleaner than a human’s mouth. Unfortunately for urban legends, this is not true. Harmful bacteria can grow in our pet’s mouths when we don’t take proper steps to keep their oral hygiene a priority. Most dogs by the age of 4 show signs of gum disease and tooth decay due to lack of proper dental care. Usually the first sign of dental diseases is bad breath. Brainerd Hills Veterinary Hospital has able and competent staff who can show you several ways of staying on top of clean teeth and healthy gums with at home. If after your thorough examination our doctors determine that your pet is suffering from periodontal disease, Brainerd Hills Veterinary Hospital offers full dental cleaning services at our clinic. Our doctors will counsel you on products to use at home including chew toys, food, treats and teeth brushing kits to keep tooth decay and gum disease at bay. The staff at Brainerd Hills will also show you how to examine your animal companion at home and the early signs of dental diseases. If you feel your pet is suffering from unusual bad breath or dirty teeth please contact our staff to set up an examination.