Your Pet’s Dental Care

Did you brush your teeth this morning? Most people brush their teeth daily and see their dentist twice a year. But, you may be surprised to know that your pet needs the same level of dental care. Dental disease can cause serious problems for your pet, including devastating systemic issues. Fortunately, appropriate dental care can protect your pet against this serious disease.

Why is dental care important for my pet?

After your pet finishes their dinner, small food particles remain lodged between their teeth and attract bacteria, which form a sticky layer of plaque on the tooth surface. If not removed promptly, the plaque hardens into tartar, which inflames your pet’s gums.

The bacteria then invade under your pet’s gumline and damage the supporting structures of their teeth. Dental disease is a serious infection that can wreak havoc throughout your furry friend’s body. Potential consequences include:

• Painful, bleeding gums — The oral bacteria irritate the gum tissue, leading to painful, swollen gums that may bleed when your pet eats or chews a toy.
• Loose or missing teeth — As the infection progresses and damages the tooth’s supporting structures, your pet’s teeth may become loose or fall out.
• Tooth root abscesses — If the bacteria invade the tooth root, they can cause an infection. In some cases, the abscess ruptures, causing a draining tract in your pet’s face or jaw.
• Oro-nasal fistula — The bacteria can also tunnel through the tissue between your pet’s mouth and nose, allowing food and saliva to enter your pet’s nasal cavity, which may result in a respiratory infection.
• Oral tumors — Chronic inflammation from dental disease increases a pet’s risk for oral tumors.
• Organ damage — Periodontal bacteria don’t limit themselves to your pet’s mouth. Left untreated, the infection enters the bloodstream and damages vital organs, such as the heart, kidneys, and liver.

What are dental disease signs in pets?

Many pets with dental disease show no signs because they are experts at hiding pain and discomfort. This is why regular dental exams are so important to your pet’s health. When the disease progresses, you may notice:

• Bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Discolored (e.g., yellow or brown) teeth
• Red, swollen gums
• Blood on your pet’s chew toys
• Tilting the head to eat or eating on only one side of the mouth
• Dropping food
• Nasal or ocular discharge
• Facial swelling

Contact us today for a dental checkup and / or Cleaning.