Dental care for pets is essential to keeping your pet healthy. Regular cleaning can improve the health of your pet’s teeth and prevent serious problems such as tooth decay, gum disease and even heartworm. But many pet owners need to learn how to maintain their pet’s oral health at home or how often they should visit their veterinarian for teeth cleaning. It’s easy if you follow these tips:
What’s the Importance of Dental Care For Pets?
Your pet’s teeth are essential for her overall health, both in the short term and over a lifetime.
- Her teeth are essential to how she chews and digests food, which helps ensure proper growth and development.
- She can’t eat without them! They hold food between the upper and lower jaws so she can chew it properly before swallowing.
- If you think your pet is having trouble chewing or swallowing food because of missing teeth or other dental issues, please see your veterinarian as soon as possible. There may be something else going on in addition to bad breath.
- If a tooth is lost at an early age, some animals will be able to compensate for this loss by changing their diet slightly; others may develop problems such as malnutrition if they have difficulty eating solids instead of soft foods like yogurt or cottage cheese.
What Are Common Signs of Oral Disease in Pets?
Signs of oral disease include:
- A lingering lousy breath that is not immediately alleviated by brushing or flossing
- Drooling or dropping food from the mouth
- Pawing at the face or mouth
- Reluctance to chew, especially on one side of the mouth (this may indicate a tooth problem)
- Loose, missing, or painful teeth (if you notice these signs in your pet, it’s essential to get them checked out by a vet)
Toronto Pet Dental Clinic protects your pet from pain and loss of teeth.
Bad Breath
Bad breath can be a symptom of gum disease, which bacteria in the mouth can cause. Since your dog’s mouth is not as sterile as yours (and probably not as clean), it may have more bacteria than you do. This could lead to an odour from plaque buildup on their teeth.
If your pet has bad breath, Regular checkups and dental cleanings are essential for your pet’s health so the problem can be adequately treated. Be sure to brush your pet’s teeth regularly so their mouth stays clean daily!
My Pet is Drooling or Dropping Food from Her Mouth
Drooling indicates pain, so it’s essential to get your pet checked out by a vet. Drooling may also be a sign of nausea, so if you notice that your pet is drooling, take them to the vet!
Drooling can also be caused by cancer or other health problems, so it could be time for a checkup with their doctor.
My Pet Was Pawing at the Face or Mouth
As with many symptoms, they were pawing at the face or mouth can have many causes. The simplest explanation is that your pet may be experiencing discomfort in their mouth, for example, due to dental disease. Many other medical conditions can cause a cat or dog to paw at their face, so if you notice this behaviour in your pet, They should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.
Reluctance to Chew
If you notice your pet is not chewing its food, it could be a sign of pain. If you’ve had your pet for a while and are seeing this behaviour for the first time, take them to the vet.
If your pet is usually a chewer but suddenly isn’t, it could signify something else. The veterinarian at Parliament Animal Hospital will examine the mouth and teeth for possible dental problems, plaque or loose teeth that need to be removed or cleaned by scaling or polishing (a procedure called scaling and polishing).
Loose or Missing Teeth
If you notice your pet’s teeth are loose, this can signify dental disease. There could be nervous tension in the mouth or jaw, such as an injury. If your dog has trouble eating because of loose teeth, consult your veterinarian immediately.
If the problem is periodontal disease, it may be time for some dental cleanings and extractions if they have not had them before (depending on their age).
Redness, Swelling or Bleeding From the Gums
- This can signify periodontal disease, an infection of the soft tissue and bone surrounding teeth. Periodontal disease is also known as gingivitis.
- Fever and bad breath. These are other signs that your dog might have periodontal disease or another dental problem like tooth decay or broken teeth that require surgery to correct them.
The Yellow-Brown Crust of Tartar Along the Gum Line
If your pet’s gums appear yellow-brown, it could signify tartar buildup. Tartar is a mineral deposit that can gather on teeth. Mouth bacteria cause a condition called dental calculus. It’s made up of minerals, saliva, and plaque (the sticky white substance that forms on teeth). The longer tartar is left on the teeth, the more damage it will do to your pet’s mouth—which can lead to complications such as gum disease, tooth decay, or even bad breath for your furry friend. If you think your puppy has developed some nasty tartar buildup, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian immediately!
Take Care of Your Pet’s Teeth, and You’ll be Happier
Using the proper home care for your pet’s teeth can save you money in the long run, both on dental bills and vet visits. A healthy pet will be happier and more energetic, so you can spend even more time with them!
So, what can you do to take care of your pet’s teeth? First, be sure to brush their teeth daily. If you’re worried about this being too difficult, try using a special dog toothbrush and toothpaste made specifically for their needs. Second, visit the vet regularly so that they can check on the health of your pet’s mouth and provide recommendations on how best to keep them healthy!
We at Parliament Animal Hospital are full-service for dental care.