Dental Health is one of the most overlooked areas of animal care, and neglecting it can have disastrous consequences. In addition to causing potentially irreversible damage to your animal’s mouth, poor dental care can cause fatal bacteria to migrate to its muscles, liver, kidney, or heart. Periodontal disease, a group of oral diseases that often go undiagnosed as 80% lie below the gumline, can lead to gum recession, loss of teeth, and even the infection and loss of bones. Below are just some of the afflictions that can arise from improper dental care:

• abscesses or infected teeth
• broken teeth and roots
• cysts or tumors in the mouth
• malocclusion (misalignment of teeth and bite)
• broken/fractured jam
• palate defects, such as cleft palate

 

Your animal can’t tell you when its mouth hurts, but providing it with proper dental care doesn’t have to be a guessing game. If you recognize any of the symptoms below in your animal, talk to your veterinarian immediately:

• tooth loss or broken teeth
• abnormal chewing or drooling
• dropping toys and food
• oral swelling or bleeding, especially of the gums
• reduced appetite
• discoloured teeth/tartar

Proper dental care is essential to the well-being and happiness of your animal. This includes brushing and oral maintenance in addition to regular check-ups. Talk to your veterinarian about the state of your animal’s dental health and what you can do to improve it.