Why Pet Dental Care Is Important
Did you know that more than 85% of pets older than 4 years of age have periodontal disease? That means disease of the gums and the bone of the jaw, and these provide the support system for the teeth themselves. Plaque (what we brush off our teeth) is just the start! Plaque is bacteria, and then plaque becomes calculus (what we see our dentist to clean off).
If we don’t treat and prevent periodontal disease in our cats and dogs, it can lead to more than just bad breath! It can mean tooth loss, oral pain, and disease that can spread to our pet’s heart and other organs.
How Can I Provide Pet Dental Care?
See your veterinarian annually for an assessment of your dog or cat’s mouth and teeth. We will be able to perform a full oral exam, take dental radiographs, assess the severity of your pet’s periodontal disease, and clean and polish your pet’s teeth.
In addition, talk to your veterinarian about what you can do at home to prevent periodontal disease or at least slow down the process. We can talk to you about what works as well as what doesn’t.
Why Are Pet Dental X-rays Important?
Dental X-rays for your cat or dog are important for the same reason that our dentist takes X-rays of our teeth. It gives us doctors more information than we can see with our eyes. In fact, just like X-rays of our chest, it shows us what is beneath the surface. For example, it tells us what is happening with the root of the tooth (the part covered by the gums) and the bone of the jaw so we don’t miss anything.
What Are Signs of Pet Periodontal Disease?
Believe it or not, sometimes there aren’t any signs at all. Our pets will often hide their symptoms, and we might not even know there is a problem. They may do this by swallowing their food without chewing or just avoiding chewing with the teeth that are uncomfortable, using their other teeth instead. Some pets will have obvious symptoms, such as mouth odor, avoiding playing with toys, or drooling more.
When Should I Be Concerned about Periodontal Disease?
The truth is, you should always be concerned about periodontal disease in your dog or cat. Just like in humans, we need to be constantly up keeping our teeth. We never stop, from childhood to the time we are seniors. It’s all about maintenance. So don’t wait until there is severe disease to take action. Start early and build healthy habits for your puppies and kittens.
