BETTER BITE FOR THEIR
Why Dogs Get Braces
Braces and similar advances in orthodontics have given humankind happier, healthier smiles. But did you know these same advances can help our canine friends, as well? While rare, veterinarians have been prescribing orthodontic treatment to dogs since the 1980s.
health complications for your pet. Dogs with linguoversion frequently damage their tongues and the roofs of their mouths, making them vulnerable to infection. Thankfully, braces provide veterinarians with a noninvasive solution to correct this debilitating condition.
But why? Dogs sure don’t spend a lot of time looking in the mirror, self-consciously checking their smiles. They don’t have job interviews or dates to impress, either. Humans have a variety of reasons to get braces, but a vet will only consider giving braces to a dog if the treatment will make biting and chewing more comfortable. There are a wide variety of health issues that can affect the way dogs eat, such as crowding of the teeth or oral cancer. The
Orthodontic solutions are also prescribed under less serious circumstances, where minor corrections will have a big effect on the dog’s comfort. Such instances might be when a dog’s puppy teeth have not fallen out properly or when they have an overbite. Dogs may not need braces for the same reasons humans do, but we’re glad advances in our field have been able to help our furry friends. We want
our pets to live comfortably with their teeth, just as people do. It’s amazing that a scientific invention originally designed for humans has had such a positive effect on the lives of dogs. Who knows what the cutting-edge treatments of today can do for the pets of tomorrow? SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
most common condition is called linguoversion, in which teeth are displaced toward the tongue. While linguoversion can occur in humans, the narrow snouts and long canines of many dog breeds make this far more common. The result is painful and can lead to further
SUDOKU
MINT PEA SOUP
Ingredients
• 3 pearl onions, diced • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 6 cups fresh or frozen peas • 5 cups vegetable stock • 3/4 cup fresh mint, plus more for garnish
• 1 tablespoon agave nectar • Juice of 1 lemon • Salt to taste • Pistachios for garnish
Instructions
1. Place pot on stove over medium heat. Add olive oil. Add onions and cook until translucent. 2. Add peas and stock. Cook until peas are just tender and still bright green. Remove from stove and cool for 5 minutes. 3. Put the mixture in a blender. As you blend, add mint, agave, lemon juice, and salt. 4. Once blended, pour into a bowl, garnish with mint and pistachios, and serve!
Adapted from mynewroots.org
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