We all know that people should have yearly dental cleanings and checkups, but what about pets? Few pet owners realize the importance of keeping their animal’s teeth healthy and clean. At Bryan Animal Hospital, serving Decatur, AL, we take your pet’s dental health very seriously. Keep reading to find out what you need to know about pet dental health.
Why Is Pet Dental Health So Important?
Pet dental health is often an over looked aspect of pet care. This results in 80% of dogs and 70% of cats developing periodontal disease. Often, these animals will develop this serious problem by the time they are only 3 years old. This can be prevented.
When pet dental care is done right, it will help to prevent your animal from developing many dental issues. The buildup of bacteria in the mouth is the main contributor to periodontal disease in pets. Once bacteria create a film over teeth, they become plaque. The plaque can then calcify to create tartar. This progressive problem will eventually cause your pet to develop gingivitis, just like humans. Left untreated, gingivitis will eventually cause infections in the roots of the teeth.
Pets who do not receive proper dental care can often lose their teeth. Even this, however, is not the worst-case scenario. Tooth decay can lead to bacterial infections which can affect all of your pet’s bodily systems.
Another issue pets face is broken teeth. Animals are not often picky about what they choose to chew on. Some hard items can result in broken teeth. Even though they cannot tell you, a broken tooth is a painful problem for a pet just like it would be for a human.
Pet Dental Cleanings
Pets are often put under general anesthesia so that dental cleanings can be completed in a safe fashion for both pet and technician. This is perfectly safe for your pet. If your pet has issues which would prevent them from going under general anesthesia, you can discuss this with our veterinarians before anything is done.
Much like your own dental cleanings, the veterinarian will use dental cleaning tools to remove built up plaque and tartar from your pet’s teeth. Fluoride treatments can also be used to strengthen the teeth. Dental x-rays can also be done at this time to determine any unseen dental issues that need attention.
Dental Care at Home
You can help your pets maintain good dental hygiene by cleaning their teeth at home and making sure they do not chew on items that could harm their teeth.
If you would like to learn more about our services, contact our staff at Bryan Animal Hospital, serving Decatur, Hartselle, and Madison, AL. Our number is (256) 350-0311.