Clean teeth essential to the health of your pet

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This information is provided as the 3rd in our series of fundamental instruction on assuring the health and well-being of your pet’s health.  See our other blogs at :

https://powellvets.com/is-there-anything-i-can-do-to-assure-my-pets-health-2/

https://powellvets.com/feeding-your-pet-the-right-food-and-the-right-amount-of-food-is-a-cornerstone-of-his-health/

Regular oral examinations and dental cleanings

are essential to the health of your pet.

Imagine how your teeth would look and feel if you didn’t brush them for years – or even for just a couple of weeks. Your pet’s teeth are no different. Unless you regularly provide some form of dental care, you are ignoring an important part of your pet’s overall health and wellness.

Ever since cats and dogs became domesticated, their natural source of “dental floss” and teeth cleaning – their prey – has been in large part removed from their diet. Canned and dried foods, the nutritional replacement for your pet’s traditional diet, simply cannot provide the same level of oral hygiene and most pets suffer the consequences.

It’s estimated that 85 percent of all pets have periodontal disease by the time they are 3 years of age.

Periodontal disease is a progressive disease of the supporting tissues surrounding teeth and the main cause of early tooth loss. Periodontal disease starts when bacteria combine with food particles to form plaque on the teeth. Within days, minerals in the saliva bond with the plaque to form tartar, a hard substance that adheres to the teeth. The bacteria work their way under the gums and cause gingivitis — inflammation of the gums. Once under the gums, bacteria destroy the supporting tissue around the tooth, leading to tooth loss. This condition is known as periodontitis. Gingivitis and periodontitis make up the changes that are referred to as periodontal disease. The bacteria associated with periodontal disease can also travel in the bloodstream to infect the heart, kidneys, and liver.

Daily tooth brushing is the best way to slow (and possibly prevent) the recurrence of dental problems. Feeding dry dental diets or dental chews may slow, but not prevent, the development of recurrent periodontal disease. Daily use of products that have been awarded the Veterinary Oral Health Council seal of product approval may help you use the most effective products to keep your pet’s teeth clean and the gum tissues and bone around the roots healthy.

For more instruction on cleaning your pet’s teeth see our blog dated 12/03/2014

Brushing Your Pet’s Teeth is Essential For Good Health

https://powellvets.com/brushing-your-pets-teeth-is-essential-for-good-health/

How Do I Know if My Pet Needs a Professional Dental Cleaning?

A professional veterinary dental cleaning is the only way to remove tartar from the teeth and under the gum tissue to protect your pet’s health. With a professional dental cleaning and follow-up care, gingivitis is reversible. Periodontal disease is rarely reversible, but diligent at-home dental care and regular veterinary cleanings can slow down the progression of the condition.

The key to managing dental disease is prevention. The American Animal Hospital Association Dental Care Guidelines recommends regular oral examinations and dental cleanings, under general anesthesia, for all adult dogs and cats. AAHA recommends these procedures at least annually starting at one year of age for cats and small-breed dogs, and at two years of age for large-breed dogs.

Regular inspection of your pet’s mouth is important to catch dental disease in the early stages. Tartar may appear as a brownish-gold buildup on the teeth, close to the gumline. Redness or bleeding along the gumline may indicate gingivitis. Other signs of dental disease include:

  • Lethargy, inactivity, or depression
  • Poor grooming
  • Salivating
  • Decreased or loss of appetite and weight loss
  • Dropping food from mouth while eating
  • Discharge from the nose or eyes
  • Bad breath
  • Drooling
  • Pawing at the mouth
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Loose or missing teeth

If you notice any of these signs in your pet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian

Credits:

Vetstreet.com

CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital