How proper poor pet dental care can extend your furry friend’s lifespan – Must-know tips!
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Pet dental care is a common aspect that is sometimes unintentionally neglected. However, your pet’s oral health is as important as yours and requires proper attention to maintain their well-being. Neglecting this aspect may increase the likelihood of your pet developing various health concerns. Here are some potential consequences linked to inadequate dental care for pets.
Oral Discomfort
- While pet owners wish to protect their beloved pets from unnecessary suffering, pain, and discomfort become inevitable when a pet’s dental health is neglected. Dental pain can arise from various causes, ranging from the discomfort of infections to tooth sensitivity and the sensitivity caused by dental decay. You can significantly reduce the risk of dental discomfort and pain by prioritizing your pet’s dental care and scheduling regular dental appointments.
Periodontal Disease
- Periodontal disease is one of the prevailing dental diseases in dogs and cats. It is caused by the immune system’s inflammatory response to plaque bacteria that deteriorates periodontal tissues. The process begins within the gingiva, leading to inflammation or gingivitis.
Gingivitis can advance to affect deeper structures that provide tooth support. With the progression of periodontal disease, attachment loss around the tooth intensifies. This can quickly reach a stage where it becomes impossible to save the tooth, necessitating the extraction of the affected tooth.
Carries and Decay
- Commonly known as cavities, carries are detected on the biting surfaces of molar teeth in dogs. They lead to the deterioration of enamel and dentin, reaching a point where the pulp becomes exposed.
Cavities originate from the bacterial breakdown of highly refined carbohydrates, which produce lactic and acetic acid that progressively erodes enamel and dentin. In addition, poor dental care can also lead to dental decay, which can cause sensitivity and pain if left unaddressed.
Challenges in Eating
- Unfortunately, dental pain or loose teeth can complicate routine activities, such as eating and picking up objects, for your pet. These issues hinder their ability to enjoy meals and lead to discomfort.
If you observe your pet dropping food, displaying reluctance to eat, struggling to pick up objects, or experiencing difficulties holding items in their mouth, it may indicate underlying dental problems that demand prompt attention.
Loss of Teeth
- Failure to address dental issues in your pet can ultimately result in tooth loss. Missing teeth can affect your pet’s appearance and ability to perform various activities, such as enjoying meals or engaging in playful activities like fetching a frisbee or ball.
It’s important to note that tooth extraction is as uncomfortable for pets as it is for humans, and responsible pet owners should prevent the procedure whenever possible.
Bad Breath
- While bad breath may not be the most severe consequence of poor dental health, it can be unpleasant. Bacteria, the culprits behind dental caries and gum disease, release an odor that leads to unpleasant breath in your pet.
Fortunately, there are various measures you can take to protect your pet’s
dental well-being, including:
- Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth with veterinary-approved toothpaste can help prevent tartar buildup and tooth decay.
- Provide dental sticks for them to chew on.
- Restrict their diet to avoid sugary foods.
- Encourage using appropriate chew toys, which stimulate saliva production, neutralize acids, and remove bacteria and food debris.
- Schedule an annual professional dental cleaning with your veterinary dentist to ensure comprehensive oral health.
Book an appointment with Autumn Trails and Veterinary Center to treat pet periodontal disease or for professional tooth extraction. We perform dental services to keep your pet’s mouth looking and feeling great. We are located in Charlottesville, VA. Appointments are conveniently available; call us at (434) 971-9800.
