Dental Health - Part I
‘YOU’VE BEEN TO THE DENTIST, HAS YOUR PET?’
February is
National Pet Dental Health Month. Dental health is one of
the most overlooked aspects of preventative care in pets.
If overlooked, your family pet can become very ill.
Periodontal
disease is the number one diagnosed disease in cats and dogs
over the age of three. It starts with the growth of
bacteria on the surface of the tooth and around the gum
line. This forms a sticky film called plaque that builds up
if not regularly cleaned. As plaque builds up it turns into
a hard, calcified crust called tarter. Tarter is very
difficult to remove without the use of special dental
instruments. Tarter build-up causes severe irritation to
the gums and the supporting structures around the tooth.
When
periodontal disease is present there is also bleeding around
the gum line called gingivitis. This gives bacteria,
debris, and toxins an entry way into your pet’s organ
system. This entry can cause serious health conditions that
may sometimes result in tooth loss, bone loss, and possible
fatal disease processes which can include kidney, liver,
heart and lung disease.
Some warning
signs of periodontal disease in dogs and cats include bad
breath, yellowish-brown crust along the gum line, red and
bleeding gums, decreased appetite and difficulty eating.
The best way to find out if your pet has periodontal disease
is to have an examination done by your veterinarian. If
your pet has periodontal disease, then your pet is in pain.
Annual dental
cleaning by your veterinarian, as well as a thorough home
care regimen, is the best way to prevent periodontal
disease. At Parker Center Animal Clinic, we
take dental health seriously; please call us with any
questions.
