Dental health is a vital part of a pet’s overall health. Pet dental disease is a common problem. More than 80 percent of dogs suffer from some form of dental disease by age three. February is Pet Dental Health Month, an ideal time to learn how to keep your pet healthy.
Having your pet’s teeth and gums checked by the vet will help detect signs of a problem. You can find out the importance of pet dental care.
Pet Dental Disease
Dental disease affects the pet’s teeth, gums, and the structures that surround the teeth. The disease begins with the buildup of plaque on the teeth. The plaque contains food particles and harmful bacteria. When the plaque remains on the teeth, it hardens into tartar.
Professional dental cleaning helps remove the tartar often visible above the gumline. In some cases, the tartar makes its way under the gumline, causing dental disease. The problem causes inflammation, and it can damage the structures that support the teeth and cause infection.
Signs of Pet Dental Disease
Unfortunately, your pet will not be able to tell you that they are suffering. As a pet parent, you need to identify the signs that indicate that your pet is ill. Several signs can indicate that your dog has dental disease.
The signs include loose teeth, broken teeth, bad breath, and bleeding in mouth. Other signs are excessive drooling and inability or refusal to eat and drink. It is vital to visit a vet immediately if you notice these signs.
Reasons for Pet Dental Care
Ensuring that your dog has a healthy mouth is vital. Dental care is critical to the overall health of your pet. The reasons could be preventing tooth loss, preventing oral pain, and bad breath.
Pet dental care can also help prevent organ damage. Bacteria in plaque can get into the bloodstream before traveling to the liver, heart, and kidneys. Another reason to get dental care is to prevent the worsening of dental disease.
At-home Dental Care
When it comes to taking care of your pet’s dental health, you should ensure regular at-home dental care. Taking care of your pet’s oral care at home will help maintain good oral health. You can remove the plaque from your dog’s teeth by cleaning or brushing their teeth regularly.
Brushing your dogs’ teeth several times a week using dog toothpaste will help maintain good oral health. Other things you can do to clean the teeth include using dog dental treats and providing dental chew toys.
Professional Dental Care
Having your dog’s teeth cleaned professionally is vital. Your veterinarian will be able to clean the teeth thoroughly above and below the gumline. The procedure will require the animal under anesthesia to ensure proper cleaning. You can talk to the vet about the best dental cleaning schedule for your pet.
Dental disease among pets is quite common, but proper dental care will help keep your dog’s mouth healthy.
For more on the importance of pet dental care, visit 4 Paws Veterinary Hospital at our office in Duffield, Virginia. You can call (276) 431-4838 today to schedule an appointment.