Did You Know Most Dogs and Cats Over Age 3 Have Dental Disease?

With the right diet, recreational chew toys and regular home dental care, you may be able to reduce the frequency of professional cleanings for your pet. Dental work can be expensive, and as with any medical procedure, it carries inherent risks.
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Seventy-five percent of dogs and cats over the age of three have periodontal disease.

That's a lot of dirty mouths.

And more often than not, the cause is pet owners who fail to provide daily oral care.

Periodontal disease is an infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth that progresses in stages. It starts out with formation of a bacterial film on the teeth called plaque.

When the bacteria die, they become calcified by calcium in saliva, forming a hard, rough substance called tartar or calculus. This provides a surface upon which more plaque can accumulate. If left to spread, plaque can lead to inflammation of the gums, causing them to get red and swollen and bleed easily, a condition known as gingivitis.

If tartar buildup continues unchecked, infection can form around the roots of the teeth and below the gum line.

In the final stages of periodontal disease, the tissues surrounding the teeth are destroyed, the bony socket holding the tooth erodes and the tooth becomes loose. This is very painful for your pet.

Oral Disease Can Create Systemic Disease

Did you know your pet's oral hygiene isn't just about the health of his mouth? Studies show oral inflammation and infection can create disease in other parts of the body, including the heart.

Bacteria in the mouth enters the bloodstream through gum tissue that is weakened and compromised. If your pet's immune system doesn't destroy the bacteria in the blood, it can reach the heart.

A 2009 study conducted at Purdue University showed a strong link between gum disease in dogs and endocarditis, an infection of the heart's valves or inner lining.

Another way gum disease may lead to heart problems involves certain strains of oral bacteria. Some types of bacteria found in your dog's mouth produce sticky proteins that can adhere to the walls of her arteries.

As this bacteria builds up, it thickens the walls of the arteries. This narrowing of the passageway through the arteries is closely associated with heart disease.

Bacteria are also known to promote the formation of blood clots that can damage the heart. Studies have shown that oral bacteria, once launched into the bloodstream, seem able to survive attacks by the immune system.

Daily Home Dental Care is Essential

Many pet parents incorrectly assume an annual cleaning by a veterinarian is sufficient to maintain their dog's or cat's dental health. Others avoid performing home dental care for their pets because it seems too difficult.

But with a bit of training, the right tools, patience and persistence, most pet owners can learn how to control the plaque in their dog's or cat's mouth in just a few minutes a day.

Why put it off? If you start today, a month from now you and your pet will be well on your way to feeling comfortable with your new daily routine. Your pet will have a nice clean mouth, and you'll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're doing everything possible for your furry companion.

Other Essential Elements for Keeping Your Pet's Mouth Healthy

Regular oral exams performed by your veterinarian are part of any good dental hygiene program for your pet. Your vet will alert you to any existing or potential problems with your dog's mouth.

All teeth don't accumulate plaque and tartar at the same rate. Identifying the teeth that need a little extra work can really make a big difference in reducing the frequency and necessity of professional scaling. Your vet will also recommend a professional cleaning under anesthesia, if necessary.

With the right diet, recreational chew toys and regular home dental care, you may be able to reduce the frequency of professional cleanings for your pet. Dental work can be expensive, and as with any medical procedure, it carries inherent risks.

Dr. Karen Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian. You can visit her site at: MercolaHealthyPets.com

Her goal is to help you create wellness in order to prevent illness in the lives of your pets. This proactive approach seeks to save you and your pet from unnecessary stress and suffering by identifying and removing health obstacles even before disease occurs. Unfortunately, most veterinarians in the United States are trained to be reactive. They wait for symptoms to occur, and often treat those symptoms without addressing the root cause.

By reading Dr. Becker's information, you'll learn how to make impactful, consistent lifestyle choices to improve your pet's quality of life.

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