Ways to Prevent Dental Disease in Your Pets

Our four-legged friends can develop dental problems like us, thanks to two major things: improper dental hygiene and genetics. Yes, dental problems are a part of your pet’s health overall, therefore don’t deny their dental hygiene. It is a fact. These bacteria create a substance to conceal under the called plaque. You understand that icky white stuff on your teeth. Unlike humans, however, our pets seldom get cavities because their teeth are much thicker. 

On the other hand, Pets can create more significant gingivitis and other gum diseases that we’re unaware of. If the tarter becomes hard and thick, it can make an area between the gum and tooth that bacteria can invade, which is bad. When the bacteria get there are some pretty significant health dangers to your pet’s health. A pet’s gums can begin receding, the teeth may see a reduction of their blood supply and die, or worse, the bacteria may get into the bloodstream and affect different organs. Over ninety percent of the moment, the bacteria can travel throughout the body and attach themselves to the walls of the center. It is not unusual to diagnose critical cardiovascular disease and murmurs as a result of acute dental disease. Unfortunately, once our pets develop a murmur the heart disease could be treated but the damage is irreversible and eventually fatal.

This procedure can happen quickly and immediately start to affect a pet’s health. One study demonstrated that eighty-five percentage of cats and dogs have dental disease. Specific breeds are also much more likely to have this condition like poodles, chihuahuas, Maltese, labradors, along with other strains which have blunted noses. Feline viruses, such as feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), can accelerate dental infection in cats. A pet’s immune system is continually combating the bacteria involved with dental illness, so in case your pet is sick, older, fed bad meals, or is immune-compromised they’ll be far more likely to develop dental disease.

Of course, brushing your pet’s teeth is important to your pet’s health. Most veterinarians and pet shops sell dental things for your pet. Regrettably though, if tartar is already present, brushing alone won’t stop further dental disease. At this point, you’ll have to seek the regional veterinarian for a test to determine whether a specialist cleaning is needed. This cleaning involves putting your pet under anesthesia and taking away the tarter build-up. When the dental disease is bad enough, your veterinarian might want to initiate a course of antibiotics a few days before the procedure. Once the process has begun and the tartar is being eliminated, they may also realize that the tooth root was affected. The tooth might have to be extracted.

There is almost no procedure that will prolong the life span of your pet such as dental cleanings because the dental disease affects a lot of other systems. Annual visits to your veterinarian are recommended to watch for the development of tartar formation and also monitor the overall wellbeing of your pet’s health. Routine brushing is an important part of any preventative dental program but make sure you ask your vet how to brush your pet’s teeth correctly. For the security of your animal and your fingers!

Regular veterinary dental hygiene is essential to maintaining cats’ and dog’s oral health and basic well-being. However, lots of pets do not get the dental care that they must keep their teeth and gums healthy.

At our Gilbert veterinary clinic, we plan to offer comprehensive dental care for the cat or dog, ranging from principles like cleanings and tooth polishing to dental surgeries and x-rays.

This vet dentist is enthusiastic about dental health education and wants to work with you to ensure that your pet gets the dental hygiene care they need.

Our Crossroads Veterinary Hospital veterinary team provides preventative and restorative dental care and surgery for cats and dogs in Gilbert. Click here to find out more.