Dental Care
Dental Health
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dental health is essential to your pet's overall health. Many people don't understand the importance of pet dental care. Making sure our pet's teeth are kept clean is just as important as us brushing our own teeth. Like humans, pets can get dental diseases like periodontal disease and gum disease.
Dental Disease
Dental disease begins with plaque buildup on the surface of the teeth. If left untreated, it forms a hard calculus that leads to gingivitis and decay. Infections of the mouth can eventually become systemic and affect the health and function of internal organs. Ideally, most pets need a cleaning once yearly starting at 3 years of age in order to prevent tooth decay.
Benefits of Dental Care
There are several ways that your pet can benefit from healthy, clean teeth and gums.
- Prevent Bad Breath: There is nothing worse than snuggling with your pet and smelling their bad breath. Proper dental care can prevent bad breath, making snuggle time a happy time.
- Prevent Tooth Loss: If you do not properly care your pet’s teeth, your pet may lose teeth. It is normal for your pet to lose its baby teeth, however, if your pet loses its adult teeth due to poor dental care, it can be painful.
- Prevent Periodontal Disease: When plaque builds up on your pet’s teeth, it can result in periodontal disease. This can cause tooth loss, pain, and difficulty chewing.
- Prevent Organ Damage: In serious cases, dental disease can cause damage to your pet’s organs. If the bacteria in your pet’s mouth travels into the bloodstream, it can infect their heart. This can result in a potentially fatal heart condition.
Make An Appointment
While home remedies are very effective in keeping your pet's teeth clean, you should also schedule regular appointments with Dr. Shannon at Cherry Knolls Veterinary Clinic for regular teeth cleanings. We offer pet dental services to make sure that your pet's gums and teeth are healthy. Call us today!