YOUR DOG’S DENTAL HEALTH
        Healthy Dogs Have Healthy Teeth
        Did you know 80% of dogs over 3 years old have some kind of oral disease? If left untreated, this can cause bad breath, swollen and bleeding gums, loose teeth, and difficulty eating. Even more troublesome, it can lead to heart, liver and kidney disease.*
        Just 2 Crunch 'n Clean biscuits twice a day help fight your dog’s tartar before it’s a problem.
        •	CLEAN
        Along with regular dental checkups and brushing, Crunch 'n Clean biscuits block tartar from forming with every hearty crunch.
        •	BLOCK
        Tartar doesn’t stand a chance. Our patented ingredient DentaShield® >>(HOTLINK: “DENTASHIELD®”) is clinically proven to block new tartar from forming.
        •	KEEP SMILING
        Give your dog Crunch 'n Clean biscuits every day to help extend the time between professional dental cleanings, and help your dog’s teeth stay cleaner, longer.
        (Pull-Quote from Dr. Melinda for image)
        “Remember that a healthy pet has healthy teeth, and maintaining good oral hygiene is one way to ensure your pet’s ongoing good health.”
        -Dr. Melinda DVM, Ph.D.
        Bio info:
        Dr. Melinda is the Manager of Scientific Affairs and resident veterinarian at Hartz. She holds a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine and a Ph.D. in Animal Sciences. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
        Bite-Sized Dental Tips from Dr. Melinda
        We know you have lots of questions about your dog’s dental health, so we asked Dr. Melinda to give you the answers.
        Q: How important is your dog’s dental health to their overall health?
        Dr. Melinda: Your dog’s teeth are the gateway to his overall well-being.  Show me a dog with clean, healthy teeth and gums, and I’ll show you a healthy dog! Dental disease is the most common disease among dogs and cats.  In fact, an alarming 80% of dogs show signs of oral disease by the age of 3. So, taking care of your dog’s teeth is key to taking care of your dog!
        Q:  What exactly is tartar?
        Dr. Melinda: Dental tartar is formed by the hardening or mineralization of plaque, which forms a thick, hard layer on pets’ teeth. Left untreated, plaque and tartar accumulation on teeth can lead to oral disease, negatively affecting both tooth and gum health, and ultimately even leading to serious overall health issues, such as disease of the heart, kidneys and liver.  While heavy accumulations of tartar are removed during your dog’s dental cleaning by a veterinarian, at-home dental care is required in between cleanings to prevent new accumulations of tartar.
        Q: Can I save money by giving my dog Crunch 'n Clean?
        Dr. Melinda: Professional dental cleanings and treatment can be costly. Prevention is key!  The average cost of a dental cleaning is approximately $500 (between $150-$900). The time between cleanings varies, but breed has a strong influence, with smaller breeds requiring more frequent treatment (approximately every 6 months to 2 years for small breeds and every 3-5 years for larger breeds). Hartz Crunch 'n Clean Dog Biscuits can help save you money by extending the time between your dog’s dental cleanings by 40% or more*.  This can lead to savings of approximately $250-$333 per year for smaller breeds and $100-$250 for larger breeds. Since tartar buildup begins immediately after teeth are cleaned, regular professional dental cleanings combined with daily Hartz Crunch ? Clean™ – two biscuits twice daily for dogs – will ensure optimal dental health.
        *Savings on routine dental cleanings.
        Q: Do different breeds have different dental issues?
        Dr. Melinda: Small dog breeds have different dental issues compared to large dog breeds. Because of their small size and sometimes extreme face shapes (for example, the Pug), small dog breeds often have crowded and/or rotated teeth. The decreased space around the teeth combined with a mostly soft food diet and longer life expectancy can bring periodontal disease as early as 1 year in small breed dogs such as the Maltese, Toy Poodle, and Yorkshire Terrier.
        Large breed dogs have more space around their teeth and tend to chew more, so are more likely to suffer painful chipped, broken or fractured teeth. Large-breed dogs are not immune to the effects of dental disease, however. For example, the Greyhound commonly develops significant dental disease. Remember that each dog is an individual, so the amount of periodontal disease will vary even within breeds.
        Q: Does the simple act of chewing play a role in dental health?
        Dr. Melinda: The mechanical nature of chewing makes it a very effective and practical method of removing plaque from the teeth. This can be accomplished by brushing (most efficient) and through the chewing of mildly abrasive substances. Crunching on biscuits and chewing on rawhide are two good ways to help remove plaque from your dog’s teeth.
        Q: What is the best way to brush your dog’s teeth?
        Dr. Melinda: Daily tooth brushing is an essential part of your dog’s health. As with any new learned behavior, it is important to start slowly, with patience and positive reinforcement. To start, place a small amount of dog toothpaste on your finger and let your pet sniff and lick it. If your dog is not interested in the toothpaste, brush the teeth without it. Do not use human toothpaste because it contains fluoride, which is harmful to your pet. Hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the tooth surface, with the bristles pointing toward the gum line. Work the toothbrush in a circular motion on the outer surfaces of the teeth. Try for 15 seconds on each side of the mouth. Go slowly, and be patient. If your dog is getting upset, stop and wait a few hours before trying again.
        Q: How often should my dog have an oral exam at the vet?
        Dr. Melinda: A yearly veterinary exam is important for the overall health and well-being of your dog, and part of this exam includes an oral exam. For dogs, the age, breed and chewing habits of your companion will dictate the type of dental disease the veterinarian sees during the exam (small breeds are prone to early periodontal disease whereas large breeds are noted to have more fractured teeth).
        Q: What role does my dog’s age play in dental health?
        Dr. Melinda: The age of your dog can have an effect on the type of dental issues seen in your dog. In puppies and young dogs, retained deciduous (baby) teeth, unerupted teeth, malocclusions and chewing damage are what are noted most often on a dental exam. In middle-aged dogs, periodontal disease, oral masses and tooth fractures are more common, whereas in older dogs, severe periodontal disease, neoplasia and other oral diseases are frequently seen.
        * According to the American Dental Society.