PETS HAVE TEETH, TOO!

Imagine what would happen if you didn't brush your teeth on a regular basis.  You would develop gingivitis, cavities, bad breath, and dental disease.  The same is true for your pet.  Therefore, regular dental care is just as important for your pet as it is for you. 

Did you know that periodontal disease is the most common infectious disease in both cats and dogs?  In fact, about 85% of adult pets have some form of periodontal disease.  If left untreated, infection in the mouth will cause pain, bad breath, & tooth loss.  In addition, this infection can spread harmful bacteria to the blood stream and cause severe heart, liver, lung and kidney problems.  A mere one milligram of plaque contains over 1 trillion bacteria! 

How do you know if your pet has periodontal disease?  There are several symptoms that are easily recognizable: 1) bad breath - one of the first signs of periodontal disease; 2) red or swollen gums; 3) yellow-brown crust near the gum line; 4) loose or missing teeth; 5) discomfort when mouth or gums are touched; or 6) possible decrease in appetite or weight loss due to difficulty chewing. 

There are several methods of keeping your pet's teeth clean: 1) Regular dental check-ups & cleanings at your veterinarian's office.: 2) Brushing - daily tooth brushing is the best at-home method; 3) Oral hygiene chews - these promote chewing and the better brands have a dual-enzyme system to control plaque and help to eliminate bacteria buildup; 4) Oral hygiene rinses and gels - these are typically used following a professional dental cleaning by your veterinarian, but they're also easy to use at home; 5) A new dental vaccine has recently been introduced to the veterinary market which will aid in the prevention of periodontitis when used as part of a complete dental program. 

What can we learn from all this? Prevention and treatment of dental disease is imperitive to the health of your pet and will help to ensure quality of life and longevity.

Call our office and get started on a dental program for your beloved pet today! 

HAPPY SMILES