May 2, 2019
Taking care of your dog’s oral hygiene can make all the difference when it comes to their comfort and health. While there are several dental care options available to choose from, keep in mind that anything you can do to help prevent plaque and tartar accumulation will make the difference. It is best to consider the following when determining how important it is to take care of your dog’s teeth: Periodontal Disease – Just like humans, dogs experience plaque buildup. This leads to the accumulation of bacteria and tartar along the dog’s gumline. Eventually, this will cause gum irritation and inflammation. Your dog might start to experience tooth loss, bad breath, and oral pain. Overall Health – When bacteria caused by plaque doesn’t just stay in your dog’s mouth, it will start to travel to other parts of the body. A few of the organs that are affected by the bacteria caused by the dental disease are primarily the heart and kidneys. Baby Teeth – Dogs lose their baby teeth just like humans. If you are not taking care of your dog’s dental needs, this might make the process of losing baby teeth quite painful. When you take care of your dog’s teeth while they are still a puppy, you’re helping ensure that they will have better dental health throughout every stage of their life. Professional Dental Care is Expensive – It is common that most people let nature take its course and don’t do anything about their dog’s oral health. Over time, if a dental health concern arises, you’re going to have to pay for it. This could entail professional cleaning, x-rays, tooth extraction, or medications. This could also include anesthesia and antibiotics. If you take care of their teeth now, you’re setting your dog up for better health in the future. Better Breath – It is no surprise that we prefer our dogs with fresh breath. When you take care of your dog’s teeth, it means less plaque, leading to safer kisses from them, too! You don’t want to end up getting sick just because your dog wants to show you how much they love you. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your dog’s dental health, please give Transit Animal Hospital a call today!