Why Is Pet Dental Care Important?

If you never brushed your teeth, you would most likely feel uncomfortable. Having plaque and an unpleasant taste would probably not be on your list of things to do. It would also lead to dental disease. Without the right dental care, your pet would also suffer from dental disease.

According to some studies, more than 80 percent of dogs have dental disease by the age of three. This is also known as periodontal disease. Dental disease has serious consequences for your cats and dogs. This is why it is so important to maintain good dental care in your pets.

Understanding Dental Disease

The dental disease will affect the gums and teeth, as well as the underlying structures that support the teeth. It starts when plaque builds up on the teeth. This contains food particles and bacteria. The longer that the plaque stays in place, the more likely it is to harden to tartar. If it is above the gum line, you can see it easily. Your veterinarian can remove it during a pet dental cleaning.

However, this isn’t the only place you can find tartar. Just because your pet’s teeth look white does not mean that your pet’s mouth is necessarily healthy. Sometimes, the tartar can go below the gum line, and this becomes a problem.

Once the tartar has made its way under the gumline, it can cause inflammation and infections. This damages the structures that support the teeth. When this happens, your pets may have pain and other serious dental problems. There are several signs of dental disease in your pet, such as:

· Bad breath.

· Broken teeth.

· Bleeding mouth.

· Loose teeth.

· Inability or refusal to eat.

· Drooling.

Importance of Regular Pet Dental Care

You want what is best for your pets, and this includes having a healthy mouth. Getting dental care can prevent tooth loss in your pets. When the teeth’s supporting structures become infected or damaged, your pet’s teeth can become loose and fall out. The right dental care will prevent this from happening and ensure that the teeth stay in place.

Dental care will also help prevent bad breath. When the teeth and the mouth are both healthy, you will not cringe when smelling your pet’s breath. Dental disease also causes oral pain, so preventing disease can prevent dental pain. That can also help your pet continue to eat a healthy, nutritious diet so they do not develop other health problems.

Once plaque builds up in your pet’s mouth, the bacteria can also enter your pet’s bloodstream. This can then spread to the kidneys, liver, and heart, which damages the organs and can cause severe illness in your pets. The good news is that having good oral health will prevent organ damage in your pets.

If you would like to learn how to properly care for your pet’s teeth, our professional team would be happy to show you how. We can also clean the pet’s teeth. Please contact Bridge Park Animal Hospital in John Creek, GA, to schedule your appointment.
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