If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know just how painful it can be. Most of us also know how important oral hygiene is to overall health. But did you know our pets’ teeth are prone to the same problems?
Many pets suffer unnecessary pain, tooth loss, worn teeth, and dental disease because pet owners don’t understand how essential pet dental care really is.
To learn more, let’s explore how pet dental health is integral to lifelong wellness.
The Facts About Pet Dental Disease
While their wild predecessors have some level of dental care through their natural diet of prey, domestic pets often get their meals from a can or in the form of dry kibble.
This is not to say that wild animals don’t have problems related to dental disease (because they do tend to lead shorter lives), however, all domestic pets rely on us for proper dental care. If basic needs such as tooth brushing remain unmet, plaque and tartar, both of which are causes of dental disease, become problematic.
In fact, according to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more than two-thirds of household cats and dogs have some form of periodontal disease by the age of 3.
Symptoms of dental disease include:
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Red, swollen, and/or bleeding gums
- Swelling around the face, jaws, or mouth
- Rubbing or pawing at the face and mouth
- Broken, loose, or missing teeth
- Discoloration of teeth
- Difficulty eating, loss of appetite, and/or weight loss
When the buildup of plaque and tartar continues, it leads to “pockets” within the gum line, which allow for bacteria to develop and spread to the bone. Long-term bacterial growth will lead to infection, which can spread to the major organs of the body, often resulting in disease.
Preventive Pet Dental Health
Considering the impact pet dental health has on the whole body, focusing on your pet’s daily dental hygiene and maintaining wellness appointments are both effective ways to make a positive change.
At Pets in Stitches, we know the benefits that veterinary dental care can afford your furry friend, and offer dental scaling, polishing, and extractions to that end. These professional services, paired with at-home dental care, will help your pet live a longer and fuller life… with breath you can stand to be around!
To learn more about our dental care services, please give us a call.
