Pet Dental Health

Dental health is a very important part of your pet’s overall health, and dental problems can cause, or be caused by, other health problems. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian to check for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

Oral health in dogs and cats

Your pet’s teeth should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian for early signs of a problem and to keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

Have your pet’s teeth checked sooner if you observe any of the following problems:

Bad breath
Broken or loose teeth
Extra teeth or retained baby teeth
Teeth that are discoloured or covered in tartar
Abnormal chewing, drooling, or dropping food from the mouth
Reduced appetite or refusal to eat
Pain in or around the mouth
Bleeding from the mouth
Swelling in the areas surrounding the mouth

Some pets become irritable when they have dental problems, and any changes in your pet’s behaviour should prompt a visit to your veterinarian. Always be careful when evaluating your pet’s mouth, because a painful animal may bite.

Why pet dental health is important

Pet dental care is of high importance to their every day care. You brush your teeth every day, that comes natural to you. But when it comes to brushing our pets teeth it seems that a high majority of us forget to do so. It is actually believed that 38% of dog owners do not brush their dogs teeth at all, 44% of dog owners occasionally brush their dogs teeth, and only 18% brush at least once a week. Pet dental awareness month is a chance for veterinary practices to highlight the common issues, and how to avoid them!

Did You Know?

Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease occurs when the tissues that surround teeth become infected and inflamed. Bacterial plaque build-up on the teeth causes inflammation of the gums (gingivitis) if not removed. Over time, infection and inflammation spread deeper into the tooth sockets, destroying the bone around the tooth roots – meaning teeth may need to be extracted (if they haven’t already fallen out!).

The most common symptoms of periodontal disease is:

Bad breath: A common symptom of periodontal disease.
Bleeding gums: Gums may bleed when chewing, especially on hard treats.
Loose or missing teeth: Teeth may become loose or fall out.
Drooling: Dogs may drool excessively.
Chewing on one side: Dogs may prefer to chew on one side of their mouth.

The good news is that plaque can be removed with daily dental home care, and gingivitis can be reversed if caught early.

Fight dental disease with 3 easy steps

Twice-yearly health checks

Teeth brushing and regular home care

Following veterinary advice

Dental care for pets reduces the risk of diseases such as; periodontal disease, gingivitis, gum problems and even digestion problems. Dental problems that are undiagnosed can lead to pain, and more complications that can lead to being fatal. Generally speaking, pain, discomfort and bad breath are almost certainly your common symptoms to look for.

This is the case of veteran staff pet, Poppy. The lovely Poppy has featured on many posts in the past, as her owner, Graham, has been part of our Orchard family for 10 years now. Poppy is a Border Terrier and recently turned 12 years old, so she is an older girl! She recently came in for a dental and she is a perfect example of what we have already discussed above!

Find out more about Poppy’s story here.