Do you know if your pet has a healthy mouth? This month, Magnolia Springs Veterinary Center is celebrating National Pet Dental Health Month by discussing the importance of taking care of your pet’s teeth. Just like us, pets can suffer from dental disease, and dental problems can have a significant impact on your pet’s overall well-being.
Let’s discuss what dental disease is and why your pet’s dental health is so important.
Dental Disease in Pets
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 80% of pets suffer from some degree of dental disease. Like humans, this condition is caused by a buildup of plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth. Early signs of buildup may be difficult to see. However, as the condition worsens, it can have serious impacts on your pet’s health.
Tartar is an ideal breeding ground for harmful bacteria. This bacteria can cause a variety of issues, including bad breath, inflammation of the gums, and infection. Bacteria can spread below your pet’s gum line causing damage to the tissues and bone that support your pet’s teeth. This can cause significant pain and eventually lead to the loss of teeth.
The Effects of Poor Dental Health
The effects of poor dental health go far beyond discomfort and bad breath. The pain associated with poor dental health can make it difficult or uncomfortable for your pet to eat. As a result, your pet may start to lose weight.
Additionally, the bacteria in your pet’s mouth can enter their blood system and spread to other parts of their body. This is known as bacteremia and can have serious consequences on your pet’s vital organs. The most commonly affected organs include the heart, liver, and kidneys.
Creating Healthy Dental Habits
When it comes to your pet’s dental health, it’s critical to establish healthy dental habits. This includes brushing your pet’s teeth regularly and keeping up with their routine veterinary care.
The best way to prevent dental disease is to brush your pet’s teeth daily. Oral rinses and dental chews can also be helpful when daily brushing isn’t possible. The sooner you start brushing your pet’s teeth, the more comfortable they will get with this part of their care routine.
At Magnolia Springs Veterinary Center, we are proud to offer a variety of dental services. Our veterinarians take great care to assess the oral health of every patient during their routine wellness exam. We will check your pet’s teeth and look for any signs of infection or dental disease.
Based on our exam findings, we can help you determine when to schedule a dental cleaning. These cleanings are performed while your pet is under general anesthesia. Not only does this help us to provide a more thorough cleaning, but we are also better able to assess your pet’s mouth and address any additional dental problems.
Give Us a Call!
We hope this article has given you a better understanding of why dental health is so important for our pets. If you have any additional questions or are ready book your pet’s dental cleaning, please give us a call at 262-770-3106.
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