No one loves the idea of getting braces, unless of course it’s a dog who has trouble closing his mouth without them. Cue Wesley, an adorable golden retriever who couldn’t be happier about the shiny new teeth bling he just got from the doggy dentist.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCd9M7DHabA/
Now that’s what I call a winning smile! Wesley was born with teeth that were so askew they got in the way of daily activities, like ball time, toy grabbing and, of course, eating. So his loving owner brought him to the Harborfront Hospital for Animals in Michigan, where they have a dental specialist, otherwise known as a doggy dentist.
More:Osteoarthritis in dogs: What it could mean for your aging pup
His name is Dr. James Moore, and he wants everyone to know that taking care of your pet’s pearly whites should be a priority.
“Orthodontia in pets is normally not for aesthetic purposes, but because of health concerns. This is Wesley, and he needed tooth alignment because he could not close his mouth completely otherwise.”
The other good news is that unlike most young teens who get fitted for braces, Wesley appears to be over the moon about them. He’s not going to let a few weeks of metal mouth change his sunny disposition.
And as a result, the Internet world can’t seem to get enough of this smiley guy. I imagine he’ll soon be approached by a number of dental practices with offers to become their spokes-pup, because he makes dental work look so fun.
More:6 dogs re-create some of the Oscars’ biggest fashion looks
View this post on Instagram
While Wesley’s going to make it through his dental issue with flying colors, many pets suffer much more severe dental problems that often go overlooked. For example, one of my cats has gingivitis, which, if left untreated, could lead to tooth decay, bone loss and gum rot. This is one very important reason you should be taking your pet to the vet once a year — a vet can diagnose and help you treat such dental issues before they get so bad their damage is irreversible.
Wondering how much a set of doggy braces will set you back? The cost varies with each dog, but in general the cost is about half of what human braces usually cost. Doggy dentistry works a little differently than human orthodontics, and veterinary dentists usually adjust only one or a few teeth rather than the dog’s entire set of teeth. Since dogs aren’t as concerned with perfectly straight teeth as people are, veterinary dentists just focus on fixing the problem teeth to help keep costs low and avoid putting their patients through unnecessary treatments.
While February is almost over, it is National Pet Dental Health month, which means it’s the perfect time to check out your pet’s smile and see if there’s anything you can do to help make it as pretty as Wesley’s.
More:Children are reading to shelter dogs, and the results will make you melt
Leave a Comment