Pet Dental Care: How to Look After Your Dog’s Teeth
It is very important to keep your pet’s health in check, and this includes looking after their teeth and gums. It has been discovered that 69% of dog and 60% of cat owners believe that bad breath in their animal is normal, when it is in fact one of the biggest symptoms of dental disease. We spoke to David Hutchinson from Petbarn and Greencross Vets to find out more on how to care for your pooch’s pearly whites. How ‘normal’ is bad breath?
Many people believe smelly “dog” breath is normal, however, it can actually be an indication that your pet is suffering from dental disease. It is important that pet owners seek professional assistance if their pet’s breath smells, as it is an indicator of serious dental health problems in pets. This will reduce your pet’s chances of developing serious oral healthcare problems.
What causes dental disease in my pet?
Dental disease is caused by a build-up of bacteria on the surface of the teeth and gums. Just like us, pets accumulate bacteria in their mouth after eating, which then goes on to form plaque over their teeth. This is an invisible “film” that forms over the teeth. If this process progresses it can lead to the formation of tartar (cement like material visible on teeth), infection and the destruction of gum tissue and bone supporting the teeth.
This process is helped by the fact that most of our pets do not have their teeth brushed every day or at all. This gives plaque-forming bacteria the perfect environment to multiply and cause dental health issues for our pets.
Ultimately, if pet owners do not incorporate any regular dental hygiene practices for their pets, their furry friends are more likely to develop an unnecessary build up of plaque which leads to advanced dental disease.
How commonly is dental disease seen?
Gum disease or gingivitis is one of the most common ailments seen from our Greencross Vet clinics. If left untreated, your dog can suffer from tooth loss, abscesses and bacterial infections. Dental conditions are more common than pet parents may expect, with 80% of dogs and 70% of cats showing signs of dental disease by their third year of life.
Periodontal disease (bacterial disease) is also extremely common in pets. As discussed above, when the early stages of dental disease are left untreated, it will progress to periodontitis, which is an inflammation around the tooth. This can lead to infection and eventually tooth decay and loss.
What are the symptoms of dental disease?
The early symptoms of dental disease are not always apparent and easily overlooked, so prevention is always key to avoiding these issues in the first place.
There are a few key signs of dental disease that pet owners can look out for. Pets with dental disease may have drool, paw at their mouth and be reluctant to eat. Also pet owners can
simply flip up the top lip of their pet’s mouth to check for discolouration. Build up on teeth, redness along gum line, lumps and bleeding around the mouth can all be indicators that your pet has dental health issues and potentially an infection in their mouth.
On top of this, pet parents can also observe whether their pet has had a loss of appetite or difficulty chewing food, bad breath, or swelling under the jaw, which are all indications of dental disease. If you notice any of these symptoms, visit your local vet.
What are the consequences of leaving disease untreated?
The consequences of the early forms of dental disease can include bad breath or gingivitis, which can cause pain and discomfort for our furry friends. If these oral health issues are left untreated they can result in more serious problems such as tooth and bone loss.
As the disease progresses, Greencross Vets warns that dental health issues in pets have also been linked to heart disease and other serious, widespread health issues. This is due to the bacteria that live in the affected gum entering the blood stream and sticking to the arteries which affects organs, such as the heart, liver and kidneys.